POLSON — From Aug. 23-Sept. 30, the exhibit “Fresh Perspective” will feature new Sandpiper Art and Gift Gallery artists Barbara Shrider (watercolor), Mark Sherman (raku pottery), Denise Zemke (stained glass), Gail Trenfield (watercolor/ photography), and long-time member artist Joanne Simpson (watercolor batik) and invited oil painter and pastel artist Helen Siemers. For more information contact the Gallery at 406-883-5956.

POLSON — Celebrate fall with the downtown “Decorate the Bench Competition.” Choose a bench at Navigator Travel between Sept. 26-Oct.7. The public votes Oct.15-21 with winners announced at our “Downtown Open House” on Oct. 22. The first place prize is $200 in PBC-dollars; the second place prize is $100 in PBC-dollars; and third place is $80 in PBC-dollars. This is another event brought to you by the Polson Business Community. If you have questions, call Jackie at 406-883-5800 or Evonne at 406-883-5222.

RONAN - Westland Seed is offering a "Hunters' Education" class beginning Sept. 27 and ending Oct. 1. For more information call 406-676-4100 and ask for Sharon.

POLSON — A free eight-week Bereavement Support Group series for adults grieving the death of a loved one is offered Wednesdays from 10-11:30 a.m. from Sept. 28-Nov. 16, at the O’Maley conference room at St. Joseph Medical Center. Registration is required by Sept. 23. To register contact: Mary Martin, LCSW, at 406-883-8914 or mary. martin@providence.org

PABLO — U.S. Department of Agriculture agencies will hold a town hall meeting in Pablo, on Sept. 28, at 1 p.m. at Mission Valley Power, 36079 Pablo West Road, to discuss opportunities for and barriers to maximizing access to USDA programs and services. Contact John George at jonathan.george@mt.usda.gov or 406-449-5000 ext. 101 for more information or special accommodations.

POLSON — “Restoration of the National Bison Range to Federal Trust Ownership for the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes” by Brian Upton will be Mission Mountain Audubon’s next educational program on Thursday, Sept. 29, at 7 p.m. in the Polson Library meeting room. Everyone is welcome. Brian Upton, a CSKT attorney, as well as other staff will be on hand to discuss the Tribe’s draft legislation to restore the National Bison Range land to federal trust ownership for CSKT. The staff will also discuss some of the related history and background at the National Bison Range.

POLSON — Chicken’s on the menu at the Polson Community Church, 1814 First Street E. This Fifth Friday Dinner will be served on Sept. 30. from 4:30-6:3 p.m.

POLSON — Polson High School’s Homecoming Parade takes place Friday, Sept. 30. The parade begin at 2:35 p.m. from the high school, travels north on Second Street W, turns east onto Eighth Ave. in front of Cherry Valley, then north on Main Street. The floats will turn east on Third Ave. and continue past the Lake County Courthouse, turn right onto Second Street E in front of Linderman Gym, and then goes east to the finish near the tennis courts. All spectators are urged to show their Polson Pride by wearing purple and gold. The football game against the Whitefish Bulldogs begins at 7 p.m. with crowning of the homecoming king and queen at halftime.

RONAN — A roast beef luncheon and birthday dinner will be served along with music at noon at the Mission Valley Senior Center, 528 Main SW. The meal includes roast beef, potatoes, salads, veggies, fruit, drinks and dessert for $4 for those over 60 years old and $5 for those under 60 years old. Everyone one is welcome.

HOT SPRINGS — Pamela Vankirk provides “Coffee house contemporary” music at the Symes Hotel from 8-10 p.m.

CHARLO — Saturday, Oct. 1, is “First Saturday” at Ninepipes’ Museum and featured artist is Maryann Eikens, a bronze sculptor. Eikens will exhibit her miniature to 20-inch high bronzes, with Montana wildlife as her frequent subject matter. The public is invited to stop by and meet the artist from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Light refreshments will be available. Call 406- 644-3435, for more information.

CHARLO — Fall is right around the corner, and to celebrate, the Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is throwing a party. The second annual Chili, Brew and Blues party will be on Saturday, Oct. 1, at the Leon Community Clubhouse. Homemade chili will be served from 5-7 p.m. ($15 dinner and music) and live music with Max Hay follows at 7-9 p.m. ($10 music only). Special raffle baskets will be available, as well as a live auction of two paintings by Olivia Olsen and Juanita Small Salmon. Beer and wine will be available for purchase. Call 406-644-3435 for more details.

ARLEE — Killdeer Artisans Guild will feature founding members husband and wife, Jerry and Janet McGahan at their fall-winter show. Husband and wife, Jerry and Janet draw their inspiration from the Montana landscape, family and their travels abroad. The show is described as a “remarkable collection of their tender and thoughtful portrayals of what moves and inspires them.” The opening reception is Saturday, Oct. 1, from noon-2 p.m. at Hangin’ Art Gallery and Café in Arlee. A question and answer session begins at 12:30 p.m. followed by a raffle of the original painting by Jim Boot, “Partly Cloudy and a Chance of Bull.”

HOT SPRINGS — On Saturday, Oct 1, Andrea Harsell will play Americana music from 8-10 p.m. at the Symes Hotel.

POLSON — Journey Be will open “Pretty Good Books,” 101 Seventh Ave. W, with a sale on Oct. 1. Journey Be opened the used books and furniture store to address homelessness issues in the area. The Grand Opening sale is from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. For more information call 406-883-5160 or 406-871-1109.

The Valley Club is holding a luau and traditional pig roast on Saturday, Oct. 1 starting at 3 p.m. to raise money and awareness for the Kathy Coffman Memorial Ranch, a Safe Place for All.

The event includes a silent auction from 3-7 p.m. followed by live music by Highway 93.

To donate items for the silent auction, or to learn more about the ranch, contact Amber, Trista or Alex at the Valley Club in Ronan.

RONAN — The Indigenous Film Series begins on Sunday, Oct. 2, at 1 p.m. with the movie, “Powwow Highway,” a funny story about being there for each other and finding faith where you least expect it. Admission is free at the Entertainer Cinema, 410 Main Street, SW. Children under 13-years old must be accompanied by an adult. Donations are appreciated.

POLSON — The Northwest Montana Accordion Association will hold a jam session at the Elks Club on Sunday, Oct. 2 , from 2-5:30 p.m. Call 406-752-8275 for more information.

POLSON — NAMI Mission Valley wilL meet Monday, Oct. 3, at 7 p.m. in the meeting room of the North Lake County Library. We will be continuing with our series on "The Brain." All are welcome. If you have questions, please phone 406-883-1092.

RONAN — Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen will hold their monthly meeting on Oct. 4, 2016, at the VFW on Round Butte Road. A discussion of our up and coming BCH Convention, which will be hosted by our chapter, will take place at the meeting. The convention will be at the Best Western KwaTaqNuk Resort in Polson on March 24-26, 2017. All are invited to attend our meetings. Hope to see you there.

POLSON — Marlene Pfaff of Laurel, Worth Grand Matron of the Grand Chapter of the Order of the Eastern Star I Montana will make her official visitation to Mystic Chapter No. 53 on Oct. 4 at 7:30 p.m. She will be accompanied by Worthy Grand Patron David Nielsen of Helena. The meeting will be preceded by a soup supper at 5:30 p.m. at The Masonic Hall in Polson. The current Worthy Grand Matron Marlene and Worthy Grand Patron David will reside at their “OES – What a Wonderful World” session in Billings, June 14-17, 2017, to celebrate the 128th anniversary of Montana Grand Chapter.

CHARLO — Charlo High School National Honor Society students are sponsoring a Charlo Community Blood Drive with the American Red Cross in Charlo on Wednesday, Oct. 5. Appointments are available from 11:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. The blood drive will take place in the Multi-Purpose Gym at the school. Please make an appointment online at redcrossblood. org or call 406- 644-2206 ext. 221. Thank you for your support.

POLSON — Enter the Decorate The Bench Competition.” Choose your bench between now and Oct.5 by stopping in at Navigator Travel on Main Street in Polson and filling out a registration form and getting your information. You can be an individual, a business, a family, an organization … everyone is invited. We will ask the public to vote for their favorite “Bench” between Oct.15-21. On Saturday Oct. 22 we will have our “Fall Downtown Open House” and announce the winners Watch for details. Winners will receive PBC dollars prizes … $200 - first place, $100 – second place, and $80 third place. Hurry down to Navigator Travel and pick out your bench before they are all spoken for. This event is sponsored by your Polson

POLSON — Judy Preston of Skill Builders will speak to members of the Polson Chamber of Commerce during their monthly luncheon meeting at the KwaTaqNuk Resort on Wednesday, Oct 5, from noon to 1 p.m. With more than 20 years of experience in business management and training, Preston plans to show members how they can gain the most from meetings such as the Chamber luncheon. Based in Ronan, Skill Builders specializes in motivation and inspiring leaders to build sustained success. Cost of the luncheon is $14.50. Reservations are not required. For additional information about the chamber and its activities, call 406-883-5969.

PABLO —CSKT and Special Olympics Montana is hosting an Open House on Oct. 5 at the SKC gym. Find out how to get involved - call 406-564-0557 or go to: ACharlo@somt.org. The day includes an Open House (2-5 p.m.), and a Community Dinner (5-7 p.m.) for the public.

POLSON — Enter the “Decorate The Bench Competition.” Choose your bench between now and Oct. 5 by stopping in at Navigator Travel on Main Street in Polson and filling out a registration form and getting your information. You can be an individual, a business, a family, an organization … everyone is invited. We will ask the public to vote for their favorite “Bench” between Oct.15-21. On Saturday Oct. 22 we will have our “Fall Downtown Open House” and announce the winners Watch for details. Winners will receive PBC dollars prizes … $200 - first place, $100 – second place, and $80 third place. Hurry down to Navigator Travel and pick out your bench before they are all spoken for. This event is sponsored by your Polson business community.

POLSON — Ken’s Country Combo will play at the Elks from 7-10 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 5, for the Community Dance fall kick-off. Al are welcome so come and join in.

RONAN — An open house will take place at Kicking Horse Job Corps from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. There will be tours, a free lunch, admissions information about training employability and education. Call 406-644-2217 for more information.

PABLO — Montana Invasive Species Advisory Council’s listening session is Thursday, Oct. 6, from 1-4 p.m. All interested partners may join in the discussion at the Salish Kootenai College, Camas Room of the Joe McDonald Health Center. For more information call 406-275-4899.

POLSON — A fundraiser dinner for Steve Heintz is set for Friday, Oct. 7, at the Red Lion Inn, starting with a no-host cocktail and hors d’oeuvres at 6 p.m. followed by a prime rib and salmon dinner buffet at 7 p.m. The dinner at Red Lion Inn is provided by Finley Point Grill. The event includes a 50/50 raffle and auction, and music by JIMnI. Tickets can be purchased at Polson Red Lion Inn and Finley Point Grill. For more information, call Wanda at 406-407-5154.

POLSON — St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church in Polson, 110 Sixth Ave., will have a yard sale from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. on Friday, Oct. 7.

HOT SPRINGS — On Friday, Oct. 7, the group Euphonium Spaceship will play Celtic and Eastern European music at the Symes

ARLEE — Enjoy a spaghetti dinner and contra dancing with a caller and live music at the Arlee Brown Building. This is a fundraiser for a high school student’s Western Ambassadors of Music trip to Europe in the summer of 2017. This event takes place on Friday, Oct. 7; from 7-10 p.m. Tickets are $10 per person or $30 per family. Call Anna Baldwin at 406-239-4289 with your questions or to buy advance tickets.

RONAN — An indoor yard sale fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Oct. 8, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. at the Ronan Tribal Senior Citizen’s Center for Ronald “Ronn” Legislador. All money raised will help with medical bills and expenses. Donations will be accepted on or before the day of the fundraiser. For more information, call 406-314- 0127 or 406-249-6159 or go to: gofundme.come/2pgja3pq

HOT SPRINGS — On Saturday, Oct. 8, Back Adit, a rock and dance band will perform for your listening and dancing pleasure at the Symes Hotel

RONAN — The Indigenous Film Series continues on Sunday, Oct. 9, at 1 p.m. with the movie, “On the Ice,” about three boys who go on a seal hunt in a remote Alaskan village. Admission is free at the Entertainer Cinema, 410 Main Street, SW. Children under 13-years old must be accompanied by an adult. Donations are appreciated.

VALLEY VIEW — This month’s Valley View potluck at the Valley View Clubhouse, 40762 Valley View Road, takes place on Sunday, Oct. 9. Social time is at 5:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6 p.m. Bring a potluck dish to share and enjoy good food and good company.

ST. IGNATIUS — The Nest is hosting its second annual “Fall Fest to Feather The Nest” fundraiser on Sunday, Oct. 9, from 3-6 p.m. at Allentown Restaurant at Ninepipes Lodge. Advance tickets are $50/pair or $30 each; free admission to children under 12 who are accompanied by adults. Call 406-745-3757.

ST. IGNATIUS — The Flathead Irrigation District’s Oct. 10 meeting has been postponed until November. See you there.

RONAN — First event of the season at Ronan Performing Arts Center 2016- 17 season will be “My Fair Limey,” presented by Ronan Middle School Theatre classes on Oct. 10-11. Tickets are $5 each; children under grade one are free. The play is a western spin-off of the classic “My Fair Lady.”