POLSON — Aug. 8 is the first day for the caregivers’ class. Powerful Tools for Caregivers classes are scheduled for six Tuesdays, Aug. 8- Sept. 12 in Polson. Time for the class is 10-11:30 a.m. The classes are sponsored by the Area VI Agency on Aging to help caregivers thrive in this most difficult life role. Please call 1-800-266-4188 for more information or to register. Class size is limited.

POLSON — After a dormant year, I’m going to try to revive the “Pickin’ in the Park” gang at the “Boardwalk” in Boettcher Park. The boardwalk is is adjacent to the Port Polson Playhouse. If you sing or play any musical (electric or acoustic) instrument or just want to sit and listen, then join us each Friday at 3 p.m. starting June 16. A lawn chair and blanket may be advisable, and if you get hungry then stop and eat at the Boardwalk food booth. The music genres start in the 1950s, but any year is OK … join us.

POLSON — The Polson Flathead Historical Museum, “The Pioneer Museum on Main Street” invites you to view amazing exhibits of daily life in the Mission Valley and Flathead Lake area in the late 1800s and early 1900s, such as the stagecoach, chuck wagon, fire trucks, Calamity Jane’s saddle and Flathead Lake’s ‘Nessie” (some say it was, some say it wasn’t, caught here) and much more. We open for the season on Memorial Day each year, and goes until Friday, Sept. 15. The museum is located at 708 Main Street and operates Monday-Saturday from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. (Closed on Sundays) There is a visitor fee of $10 and children under 10 years old are admitted free with a paying adult. For more information, go to: www.flatheadmuseum.org.

POLSON — Sandpiper Art Gallery, 306 Main Street, Polson, presents “Making It Up as I Go.” This exhibit will definitely capture your imagination. It features artists Nancy Miler (painter), Donna Winn (3D mixed media), Nancy Zadra (impressionist/ abstract painter), Gerald Garcelone (woodwork), Susan Evans (3D mixed media), Carol Rae (jewelry), and Sue Ball (lino-prints). The exhibit will run from Sept. 4 until Oct. 13. Artists reception for this exhibit is on Sept. 8 from 5-7 p.m. at the Gallery.

LAKESIDE — The sixth annual Montana Dragon Boat Festival will be held on Sept. 9-10, in Lakeside. The annual Montana Dragon Boat Festival brings family fun, spirited competition and colorful pageantry to Volunteer Park on Flathead Lake in Lakeside, just 10 miles south of Kalispell. For more information about registration and the festival, go to: MontanaDragonBoat. com.

CHARLO — Due to unhealthy heavy smoke levels in the lower Mission Valley, the Sept. 9 and 10 Ft. Connah Rendezvous has been cancelled. We are now making plans for our big Spring Rendezvous which will be held the first weekend in May 2018.

POLSON — On Sunday, Sept. 10, at noon, the MV Mariners will have Fall Ball signups and the first practice. This all takes place at the MV Mariners’ field in Polson.

ST. IGNATIUS — Join us on Sunday, Sept. 10, at 2 p.m. at 312 First Ave. N in St. Ignatius as we come together to discuss justice and equality. There are places in the world where education is a crime. Just ask the Baha’i youth of Iran, who have been expelled from school, arrested, abused, and denied access to a college education because of their religion. You and your family and friends are invited to watch and discuss a new film, which will inspire and encourage us in our own ongoing work for justice and equality in our community. All are welcome. Here’s a link for the trailer of the film: http://www. notacrime.me/thefilm. Children’s activities will be provided. Hosted by the Baha’i’s of the Flathead Reservation as part of the celebration of the 200th anniversary of the birth of Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha’i Faith. Call 406-745-4701 for directions or questions.

PABLO — The People’s Center holds Native American Awareness Week activities during the second week of September. Events are geared towards educating school children about Salish, Pend’Oreille and Kootenai history, culture and traditions. The week’s activities and events are free and open to the community to participate in. See demonstrations of slicing and drying wild game, fry bread making, hide tanning, drumming, singing and native dancing. For more information and confirmed dates, call 406-675-0160.

POLSON – North Lake County Public Library in Polson is holding a peanut butter drive the week of Sept. 11-16. All contributions from this weeklong event will be donated to the Polson Loaves and Fish Food Pantry. Overdue fines will be reduced by one dollar for each item donated. Please call 406-883-8225 for more information.

PABLO — The Best Beginnings Children’s Partnership Serving the Flathead Reservation and Lake County will host a viewing of the documentary "Resilience" at its fall quarterly meeting at 8:30 a.m. on Tuesday, Sept. 12, in the Mission Valley Power conference room. “Resilience” is a one-hour follow-up film to the documentary “Paper Tigers;” both films were directed by James Redford, and both explore the impacts of adverse childhood experiences on our children. The BBCP invites anyone with an interest in the well-being of our youngest citizens to attend our quarterly meetings. Join parents, early childhood educators, daycare provides, home visitors, health professionals and others as we share ways we can meet the needs of and provide for the physical and emotional safety of the next generations. All meetings start with coffee, snacks and networking, and presentations are from 9-11 a.m. For more information, call 406- 883-7209.

POLSON — “Coloring with Class,” an adult coloring program, will be offered on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 2:30 and 5:30 p.m. in the North Lake County Public Library meeting room at 2 First Ave. E. In this session, Angela will use art principles to give a curated coloring piece a simple matting and frame. There will be lots of visual examples, supplies and encouragement in this fun, hands-on mini workshop, and, of course, the usual yummy snacks and coloring choices. If you haven’t been to a coloring session before, we would love to have you. Call the library at 406-883-8225 if you have questions.

RONAN — The VFW Auxiliary will meet on Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Ronan. For more information, call 406-676- 3380.

RONAN — The Mission Valley Choir will begin its third year on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at the Faith Lutheran Church, 406 Fifth Ave. SW. Children in grades two to six are welcome. Snacks and game/circle time is from 3:45-4:14 p.m. Rehearsal is from 4:15-5:30 p.m. (This is a change from last year.) For more information, call 406-207-3032 or email: gill4748@hotmail.com.

ST. IGNATIUS — A Family Night Kick-off will take place at St. Ignatius Catholic Mission for the 2017-18 Religious Education Program on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 6:30 p.m. in the church social hall. It is an evening of fun, including dinner, dessert, drawing for door prizes and visiting with old friends and new. Our religious educators would like to discuss and plan with you ways we can work together to nurture our children and youth.

POLSON — Learn the Art of Zen meditation. A Zen meditation class is being offered at the YogaHeart Studio, 314 Main Street, on Wednesday, Sept. 13 at 7 p.m. The class will be presented by Zen Priest Zenku, Jerry Smyers. There is no charge for the class. Everyone is welcome. For more details call 847- 721-0665

POLSON — The regular monthly meeting of the Polson Rural Fire District Board of Trustees will take place on Wednesday, Sept. 13, at 6 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Station, no. 1 meeting room, 25-B Regatta Rd. There is a permanent time change to 6 p.m. for all future meetings.

POLSON — The Montana Cherry Symposium will be held Thursday, Sept. 14, at the KwaTuqNuk Resort. The Montana Department of Agriculture and the Montana Cherry Advisory Committee will host the event. Speakers will address topics on orchard systems, pollination, harvest methods, produce safety and nutrition. Producer and speaker panels will address questions that directly affect the growers. Registration is $30 and includes a light breakfast and lunch. Those interested in attending the symposium can register by visiting: http://agr. mt.gov/Cherry-Symposium.

POLSON — Polson High School Native American Club (Indigenous United Nations Youth Club) will have a suicide awareness walk and candlelight event on Sept. 14, at 6 p.m. The event will take place at Polson High School.

BIG ARM — At 6 p.m. on Friday, Sept. 15, the Big Arm Association will host a dessert potluck at the historic Big Arm School. Our guest speaker for the evening will be Cindy Benson, Fishery Specialist from the CSKT and she also oversees Mack Days. So, bring your favorite dessert to share with neighbors and friends and learn more about fishing on our beautiful Flathead Lake.

KALISPELL —The third annual Flathead Celtic Festival is on Sept. 16 at Herron Park in Kalispell. Enjoy a day of fun for the whole family including highland athletics, Celtic music, Irish dance exhibitions, and a beer and wine tent. Come and spend the day with your friends and family and enjoy food, local wares and culture with a Celtic twist from local vendors. Festivities start at 9 a.m. and last all day, including a parade of clans and a welcome ceremony at noon. Bring a chair and be ready for some fun. Dogs on leashes welcome too.

POLSON — Lake County High School Rodeo will be held at Polson Fairgrounds Saturday, Sept. 16 starting at 9:30 a.m. Two rodeos will run that day. Watch as the girls and boys participate in a wide range of rodeo activities: barrels, saddle broncs, goat tying, and breakaway and possibly there will be sports shooting. There will be a great concession stand. For more information, call 406-544-8836.

POLSON — On Sept. 16, at the Red Lion Inn from 6-9 p.m., the Mission Valley Animal Shelter will hold a Puppy Party fundraiser to benefit the shelter and a much needed puppy room addition as well as upgrades and repairs. A prime rib and salmon dinner will be provided by the Finley Point Grill following a cocktail hour with hors d’oeuvres. Tickets are sold for $50 per person at the Mission Valley Animal Shelter and Seconds-2-Go, the shelter’s thrift store in Polson. For further information, call the MVAS at 406-883-5312.

POLSON —On Saturday, Sept. 16, we will host a ZumbaThon Fundraiser. The proceeds will go towards supporting our local special education programs. The event will include a bake sale, a silent auction, a ticket raffle, and of course dancing. It will take place on Sept. 16 from 3-5 p.m. at the Polson High School gymnasium. Tickets are currently on sale for $10 for ages 12 and up and $5 for ages 4-11, and free for ages 3 and under. Tickets may be purchased at the door or in advance through Mel Butler at 406-871- 1182 or email mbutler@ polson.k12.mt.us.

STEVENSVILLE — Annual Salish Pilgrimage march to St. Mary’s Mission in Stevensville will be on Sunday, Sept. 17, at 3 p.m. with a potluck dinner to follow.

ARLEE — Save the date for the 13th annual Festival of Peace and the sixth Annual Walk-A-Mile for Peace at the Garden on Sunday, Sept. 17, which begins at 10 a.m. The all day free event invites people to come together to sing, dance and pray for peace and harmony until 7 p.m. There will guest speakers, live music, meditation as well as goods and craft vendors. This is a free event. Call 406-726-0555 or go to: www.ewambuddhagarden. org.

POLSON — The Thyme for Herbs group will meet Monday, Sept. 18, at 7 pm in the meeting room of the North Valley Library in Polson. Our main topic is “Herbs Can Help You Survive the Future.” Other discussions will include: Dealing with drug resistant microbes; the importance of saving seed; harvesting medicinal roots; and why we need to ferment foods. Anyone interested in learning more about herbs or taking charge of your health is welcome. For information call 406-319-2446.

POLSON — North Lake County Public Library in Polson announces a free 90-minute evening program presented by author/educator Sharon Randolph. The program’s title is “Canada’s Mountain National Parks: A Celebration of Canada’s 150th Anniversary of Confederation in 2017.” This slideshow and discussion will be held in the library meeting room on Tuesday, Sept. 19, at 5:30 p.m. Refreshments will be served, and everyone is welcome.The library is located at 2 First Ave. E. in Polson. Please call the circulation desk at 406-883- 8225 for more information.

POLSON — Support Polson Late Afternoon Social Hour on Thursday, Sept. 21, from 5-7 p.m. Your host will be Whitefish Credit Union, 110 Third Ave. E.

RONAN — Ronan is conducting their annual Child Find free screening on Friday, Sept. 22, 2017, from 11:30 a.m.-3:30 p.m. at the K. Wm. Harvey Elementary School. Children, age birth to 5 years old, will be screened for delays in speech, language, motor skills, and social or basic school readiness skills. Please make an appointment by calling Janet at 406-676-3390 ext. 7450. Walk-ins will be subject to availability or scheduled for a later date. Appointments are required.

ST. IGNATIUS — On Saturday, Sept. 23, from 8:30 a.m.– 4:30 p.m. (lunch and snacks provided) a mental health first aid training will be offered at Mission Valley United Methodist Church, 70715 Highway 93, (top of Post Creek Hill). One in five Americans has a mental illness, but many are reluctant to seek help or do not know where to turn for care. Symptoms of mental health and substance use problems can be difficult to detect – and it is not easy for friends and family to know how to step in. The Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition will offer the National Council for Behavioral Health’s Mental First Aid training and certification, an eight-hour course that prepares participants to interact with a person experiencing a mental health crisis and refer them to the proper resources. CEU credits will be offered for participants. For more information or to participate in this all day training at MVUMC, call 406-871-1008 or go to: jschmidt06@centurytel. net.

ST. IGNATIUS — Join Mission Valley Model Aviators #5220 for their club Fun Fly and Swap Meet on Saturday, Sept. 23. Gates open at 9 a.m. at the St. Ignatius Airport, 900 Airport Road. All ages are welcome and spectators are always free. Lunch will be served for an additional charge. Pilots bring your swap items along with your own table and set up to buy, sell, or trade. Spectators bring your lawn chairs and enjoy watching the pilots show their stuff. The day ends at dusk. For more information, contact Erich Spidel at 406- 552-5815.