POLSON — Do you look like your pet? Enter the Mission Valley Animal Shelter ‘Look-a-Like’ photo contest. Send your photo to MVAS before 5 p.m. Thursday, Aug. 7. Voting will take place at the MVAS booth at the Summer Festival, in downtown Polson, on Saturday, Aug. 9. Email your photos to: mvas@ronan.net or drop them off at the shelter on N. Reservoir Road. Call (406) 883-05312, for more information

PABLO — “Making Fitness Fun” is a free program for children ages 7 and older. Activities run Monday to Thursday, June 9 to Aug. 22 from 8:30 a.m. to noon in the Joe McDonald Fitness Center on SKC campus. Sign ups can be done at any time throughout the summer at the Fitness Center. Organizers plan to provide free supervision to children while they participate in organized activities like swimming, hiking trips, kickball, football, baseball, basketball, dodge ball, Native games, volleyball, soccer, shinny, bike riding, nutritional education and more.

Free transportation to Ronan and Polson Boys and Girls Clubs will be offered at noon. A free nutritional breakfast and lunch is also offered at the Fitness Center, Monday-Thursday with breakfast served from 8:30-10 a.m. and lunch served from 11:30 a.m.–1:30 p.m. Meals are for any age child up to 18 years old.

To sign-up or for more information, contact Paul Phillips at (406) 275-4917 or Mike Tyron at (406) 275-4916. 

POLSON/RONAN — The summer program start date for both the Polson and Ronan Boys’ and Girls’ Clubs is Monday, June 16. Both clubs will end their summer programs on Friday, Aug. 22. Summer program hours are from noon to 6 p.m. For more information, go to www.flatheadbgc.org or call either the Ronan club at Phone: (406) 676-5437 or the Polson club at (406) 883-0521.

POLSON — Port Polson Players will present “Who Gets the Lake Place,” a musical comedy, July 24-Aug. 10 at Polson’s beautiful theatre on the Lake. Curtain time is at 8 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday and at 2 p.m. on Sunday. Tickets are $16 for adults and $15 for senior citizens and students. For reservations or more information, call (406) 883-9212.

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.

POLSON — The Summer Food Service Program will be held at the Cherry Valley Elementary School, 107 Eighth Ave. W from June 16-Aug. 8. This program provides free breakfast and lunch for all children age 18 and under, and will be served Monday through Friday. Breakfast will be served from 7:30-9 a.m. and lunch will be served from 11 a.m.-1:15 p.m. If you need further information, call 883-6355 Ext 604.

RONAN — From June 9-Aug. 15, all children 18 years of age and under will be served breakfast and lunch at no cost to their families. Meals will be served at the Ronan Middle School Commons from 8:30 a.m.-10:30 a.m. for breakfast and from 11:30 a.m.-12:55 p.m. for lunch. RSD No. 30 is considered an “open site” and may feed at no cost any and all children who wish to participate. Children are not required to live in the district.

All adults must pay cash for meals at the time of service at a rate of $4 for lunch and $2.50 for breakfast.

POLSON — Tennis camp will be held Aug. 4-7 from 9-10 a.m. for children who will be in grades four, five and six and from 10-11 a.m. for seventh and eight graders. The price is $10 per day or $30 for all four days. Registration takes place Monday morning at the Polson tennis courts. If you have questions, call Bob Hislop at (406) 249-7229

POLSON — Polson’s Chamber of Commerce general meeting and luncheon is scheduled for Wednesday, Aug. 6, at the KwaTaqNuk Resort from noon-1 p.m.  Featured speaker is Angelique Albert, Executive Director of the SKC Foundation.

PABLO — The Ronan/Pablo Indian Education Committee will hold a meeting and elect new committee members on Wednesday, Aug. 6, at 6 p.m. at the Late Louie Caye Building on the campus of Salish Kootenai College. Any interested parents/guardians of JOM students (enrolled in a federally recognized Tribe) are invited to attend. 

For more information, email Linda Ferris at:  ferris.linda73@gmail.com.

POLSON — “Summerfest” on Flathead Lake is an exciting three-day event including: the Car Show, Sandpiper Arts Festival, live music concerts, boat and water events, Poker Walk/Run, and so much more. A kick-off event will take place on Thursday, Aug. 7, with Anderson Broadcasting at the KwaTaqNuk Resort at 7:30 p.m. The Bop-A-Dips community concert, also presented by Anderson Broadcasting, will be held Saturday, Aug. 9, at Riverside Park. For more information, call Anderson Radio Broadcasting at (406) 883-5255.

POLSON — The August Friendship Table Dinner is coming up on Aug. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at Polson Presbyterian Church, (across from the Linderman School). Come join us. This dinner is free and open to all.

POLSON — Do you love dogs and love cats? Would you love to own a truly unique art chair? Then please come to the Sandpiper’s Outdoor Art Festival on the courthouse lawn on Aug. 8-9 for the final day of bidding on many wonderful one-of-a-kind art chairs. This fundraiser benefits Life Savers Animal Rescue so please look for us by the courthouse steps.

RONAN — The Rocky Mountain Breeders Association Round Pen Shoot Out is scheduled for Friday, Aug. 8, and Saturday, Aug. 9, at 7 p.m. Calcutta is at 7 p.m. Friday night. Gates open at 6:30 p.m. both nights. The Colt Starting Challenge competition is between three horse trainers.

RONAN - The Ronan Library District will host a Grand Finale Picnic on Saturday, Aug. 9, for the Family Summer Reading Program at Bockman Park. Gather at noon at the large pavilion off Eisenhower Street. Activities include raffle drawings for reading prizes and a bulk distribution for community members.  For more information, call (406) 676-3682.

POLSON — In anticipation of the Apple Pie Festival, Polson’s Immaculate Conception Parish is collecting sugar for making apple pies at weekend liturgies at every weekend liturgy in August. (Many thanks for last month’s flour donations.) 

We are also looking for a large chest-type freezer to store the finished pies in come October. For more information, call Cristina at (406) 887-2234 or Linda at (406) 490-4897. 

POLSON — The Lake County Sheriff’s Office K-9 Unit will be at Murdoch’s parking lot on Saturday, Aug. 9, with demonstrations at 2 p.m., 3 p.m. and 4 p.m. Come out and meet K-9 Sole and buy a raffle ticket to help him get a bullet/stab proof vest.

POLSON — Come to the 43rd Sandpiper Art Festival on the Lake County Courthouse lawn on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. There will be over 80 juried booths with fine artists and artisans. See painting, sculpture, photography, ceramics, woodcraft, fiber art and much, much more. Plus live entertainment all day. For more information, call (406) 883-5956 or visit sandpiperartgallery.com.

DAYTON — Come join us on Saturday, Aug. 9, from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. for our mid-summer celebration, Merlot Madness. We will do a free vertical tasting of three of our International Gold Medal winning Merlots from the 2004, 2006 and the ‘winery-only’ release of our 2009 vintage. This is part of the winery’s program to educate the public about the aging and care of fine wine. Mission Mountain Winery is located on Highway 93 in Dayton on the west shore of beautiful Flathead Lake.

POLSON — It’s been a few years since we’ve said hello and we would love to see everyone at our 45-year class reunion on Saturday, Aug. 9. Reminiscing, story telling, and summer fun and games begin around noon with dinner from 5-7 p.m. or so. Bring own alcohol. Non-alcoholic beverages will be provided. Wear luau attire. Hosted at Jim and Jessie Miller’s lake home, 34129 Connolly Way on S. Finley Point, the cost is only $15 per person. Bring your family and your lawn chairs and come say hello. Catering by Chef Miller (and he’s good). Please send your RSVP and check ASAP so we can get a headcount. Mail to: Polson Class of 1969, c/o Jim Miller, PO Box 564, Polson, MT 59860. If you get lost, call Jim at (406) 887-2245 or Royce at (406) 253-8560. Hope to see you there.

ST. IGNATIUS — Zion Lutheran Church at 300 Second Ave. in St. Ignatius is having Vacation Bible School the week of Aug. 11-15.  The theme is “Gangway to Galilee” and all activities and snacks will be geared to that topic. The schedule is from 8:30-11:30 a.m. All children 3 years old and up are welcome. For more information, you may call Rev. Kyle Whaley on Tuesdays or Thursdays at (406) 745-3423 or (406) 883-4041 on other weekdays.

POLSON — All area children entering first-eighth grade are invited to an Ecumenical Vacation Bible Camp sponsored by the United Methodist Church, the Presbyterian Church and Good Shepherd Lutheran Church on Aug.11-15. Camp this year will be held at the Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave. E in Polson from 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m.

Students in grades first-sixth will enjoy music, arts and crafts, Bible Study and more at Good Shepherd Church. Students in grades seven and eight will do service projects. A registration and medical information form is required. There is no charge per student but a good will offering will be collected each day. Please RSVP to Julie at (406) 883-5864, as soon as possible and bring filled out forms on Monday, Aug. 11, to Good Shepherd.

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

POLSON — Polson’s Foursquare Church will hold a Sports/Art Camp Vacation Bible School Aug. 11-15, from 5:30 to 8:30 p.m. The church is located 3.5 miles north of Polson Bridge. There will be a free dinner at 5 p.m. Camp includes flag football, archery or art classes. Registration can be made at: www.polsonfoursquare.org.

POLSON — The next gathering of the “Thyme for Herbs Group” will be Monday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m. in the North Lake County Public Library meeting room, 2 First Ave. E (use the east side door). Our topic will be “Being Prepared for Viruses.” We will also discuss harvesting and storing herbs and saving seeds of herbs and heirloom vegetables.

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.

POLSON — There will be a Polson School District board meeting on Monday, Aug. 11, at 5:30 p.m. in the district office, 111 Fourth Ave. E.

The Polson City/County Planning Board is holding work sessions to review draft changes to the Polson Development Code. 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.  The next meeting is on Monday, Aug. 11, at 6 p.m. and it will cover sign regulations.

POLSON — Join us for a field day on on-farm food safety. We’ll do a walk-through of Fresh Roots Farm with food safety experts. Together, you’ll be able to see the farm through the experts’ eyes: What are the problem areas? What are possible easy fixes? We encourage you to bring your challenges and have the group help you brainstorm cheap and easy ways to make sure you’re being safe and careful with your products. This field day is occurring in partnership with the Western Montana Growers’ Coop and their group GAP certification pilot program. Visit http://missoulacfac.org/on-farm-field-days.html, for more information and to register.

RONAN — The American Legion Post 138 in Ronan is meeting, (second Tuesday), Aug. 12, at 7 p.m. at the American Legion Hall, 63869 Highway 93, across from McDonalds. New members are welcome. For more information, contact Jack Fay at (406) 676-3380.

POLSON — Wednesday, Aug. 13, is “lucky 13” because there is a community dance at the Elks’ Ballroom from 7-10 p.m. Heart to Heart will play country and old rock and roll music. Come and bring all of your friends.

POLSON — The Marine Corps League meets every second Wednesday of each month at 7 p.m. at the Driftwood Family Restaurant in Polson. For more information, call John Miller at (406) 890-0964 or usmcfox21@gmail.com. 

RONAN — The Ladies Auxiliary VFW 5652 meeting is Aug. 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ronan VFW Hall, 35981 Round Butte Road. New members are welcome. For more information, call Marge Fay at (406) 676-3380.

POLSON — The Polson Rural Fire District trustee monthly meeting takes place Wednesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. at the fairgrounds station. All residents of the Polson Rural Fire District are encouraged to attend. Any member of the public wishing to submit items for Board review/consideration needs to submit them to the Board Clerk at least ten days in advance of the meeting. For a full text of approved minutes and the agenda, please go to: www.polsonfire.org.

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 Thursday, Aug. 14, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m. at St. Joseph Medical Center, 6 13th Ave. E. 

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 — Miracle of America’s monthly “second Thursday free program” will start at 6:30 p.m. on Aug. 14. This month’s event will cover VJ Day (victory over Japan) to officially end WWII. Where were you 69 years ago? Whether on the battlefront or on the home-front, please come and share your feelings, photos, or memorabilia. A showing of related artifacts recently added to the museum collection will take place and refreshments will be served.

POLSON — The fourth annual Flathead Lake Blues Festival will be held Friday, Aug. 15, and Saturday, Aug. 16, at Salish Point. For more tickets or more information, visit the website at: www.flatheadlakebluesfestival.com. If you have questions, contact David Venters at (406) 885-2377.

RONAN — Ronan Cheerleading tryouts are scheduled weekdays Aug. 15 through Aug. 22 in the black box. Call coach Lena Baertsch with your questions and for times, at (406) 676-3390 ext. 7500.

POLSON — A benefit concert for Aiden Reichman, son of Mark and Kristi Reichman, will be held at the Elk’s Club, Saturday, Aug. 16 from 4-8 p.m. There will be a spaghetti dinner, door prizes, silent auctions and live music featuring the Wild Flowers. 

To volunteer in serving or donate for the auction, please contact dmreichman@hotmail.com, or call Mark at (406) 552-8665 or mtwildflowers50@yahoo.com. Donations can be sent to Community Bank in Ronan, in care of Aidan Reichman. 

ST. IGNATIUS — Everyone is invited to Wings For Wishes Over Montana, Saturday and Sunday, Aug. 16 -17, at the St. Ignatius Airport. Our goal is $4,000; which is what it takes to make a dream come true for one child. Times are tough and donations have been a little lower than usual, so please find it in your hearts to come to the event next Saturday. Saturday is our big day at the St. Ignatius Airport and we will have a barbecue, a raffle and a silent auction. We need all the help and support we can get. Help us make a difference. One hundred percent of the profits go to the Make A Wish Foundation. We can make it happen with your help.

POLSON — In anticipation of the Apple Pie Festival, Polson’s Immaculate Conception Parish is collecting sugar for making apple pies at at every weekend liturgy in August. (Many thanks for last month’s flour donations.) 

We are also looking for a large chest-type freezer to store the finished pies in come October. For more information, call Cristina at (406) 887-2234 or Linda at (406) 490-4897. 

POLSON — The Polson Triathlon is a locally run, locally inspired Olympic distance triathlon. It will be held Saturday, Aug. 16. Please visit: www.polsontriathlon.com, for more information. Whether you are an experienced veteran, intimidated beginner or curious spectator, we hope you will join us for a great day in Polson.

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 Pablo on Aug. 18 from 3-7 p.m. at Salish Kootenai College, 52000 Hwy 93. 

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. Individuals who are 17 years of age (16 with parental consent in some states), weigh at least 110 pounds and are in generally good health may be eligible to donate blood. 

High school students and other donors 18 years of age and younger also have to meet certain height and weight requirements.

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. 18, 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. 

POLSON — The Smart Driver Course will be given at the Polson Senior Center from 8:30-11:00 a.m. and 1-3 p.m. Call (406) 883-4735, for a reservation

ARLEE — Staff from the “Parents as Teachers” program of the Lake County Public Health Department will be at the Hangin’ Art Gallery in Arlee every Tuesday in August from 10-11:30 a.m. Pregnant and parenting moms and their children who are under 5 years old are invited to come visit and learn more about the PAT program.

Family Support Specialists will be on hand with activities and information about program and yummy food will be provided. The PAT program is a free, voluntary program that provides twice monthly home visits with age-appropriate activities for children from birth to age five, developmental screenings and information and referrals to area resources. Moms can be enrolled in the PAT program as soon as they are pregnant, which many moms-to-be and dads find to be very helpful, since babies don’t come with a manual.

For more information, call the Lake County Public Health Department at (406) 883-7209.