POLSON - Last chance to sign up for fall soccer! Aug. 30, Cherry Valley School, 11:30 to 1; Sept. 3, Cherry Valley School, 3:30 to 5:00. Or you can mail registration and payment to PYSA, P.O. Box 1337, Polson, MT 59860. Cost is now $50 as early registration discount expired 6/10. No registrations will be accepted after 9/3. For more info visit polsonyouthsoccer.org.

POLSON — Sandpiper Gallery’s exhibit “Yin and Yang: Functional and Abstract” features basketry; leather; fiber; clay and abstract art by Brigitte Miller; Holly Wurl; Mary Sale; Jean Stromnes; Margery Christensen; Nancy Gordon and invited Lakeside fiber artist Joan Renne. The exhibit runs Aug. 13-Sept. 20 with a reception Friday, Aug. 16, from 5-7 p.m.

POLSON — A “Powerful Tools for Caregivers” class is scheduled for Wednesdays, from 10-11:30 a.m., Aug. 15-Sept. 18 at the O’Maley meeting room in Providence St. Joseph Medical Center.. There is no fee for the class. It is sponsored by the Area VI Agency on Aging, St. Joe’s, and Lake Co. Extension Service, to help caregivers take care of themselves, better understand their emotions, communicate more effectively, and find local resources. Please contact Jane at (406) 883-7284 or 1-800-266-4188, for more information or to sign up. Class size is limited.

POLSON — The last chance to sign up for fall soccer is on Tuesday, Sept. 3, at Cherry Valley School, from 3:30-5 p.m. You may also mail registration and payment to PYSA, P.O. Box 1337, Polson, Montana, 59860. Cost is now $50, as early registration discount expired June 10. No registrations will be accepted after Sept. 3. For more information, visit: polsonyouthsoccer.org.

POLSON — Calling all Lake County Democrats to join us for a picnic at Boettcher Park, by Polson Golf Course, on Friday, Sept. 6, at 5:30 p.m. Ham and turkey will be provided. Bring a salad or dessert, chairs, and BYOB. Enjoy good food, good music, good company, and an opportunity to visit with other fellow Democrats. The Lake County Central Committee sponsors this event. 

POLSON — The annual Doggy Dash to raise funds for the Mission Valley Animal Shelter will take place on Saturday, Sept. 7, from 8:30– 11:30 a.m. at the Linderman School track. There will be lots of fun not races. Prizes to be given for two- and four-legged racers. Sponsorship forms can be found at the Shelter on North Reservoir Road, Seconds To Go Thrift Shop and Wright Real Estate in Ronan. For more information, call MVAS at (406) 883-5312.

KALISPELL — This year’s Montana Dragon Boat Festival is held Sept. 7-8 at the Flathead Lake Lodge on the northeast shore of Flathead Lake. For more information about registration and the festival, go to: MontanaDragonBoat.com.

BIG ARM — Come dance, come dine, or just come to socialize on Saturday, Sept. 7, at 6 p.m. The Historic School’s pavilion, on Seventh Street, will be transformed into a barn and Forever Country will play great foot-stomping music.

The “Old School Cafe” will serve three different mouthwatering entrees ranging in price from $2-$5. Dessert, coffee and soda will also be available.

The silent auction, to raise money for the school’s restoration work, will have some fabulous choices including everything from gift certificates donated by local merchants to fine woodwork, art and collectibles. We will also hold our very popular 50/50 raffle with the chance to win half of the money.

Please call (406) 849-6628, for more information.

ST. IGNATIUS — On Saturday and Sunday, Sept 7-8, the Fort Connah Restoration Society will host an open house and rendezvous which depicts life during the fur trading era of Montana. This is a great opportunity to see the historic Hudson’s Bay Fort Connah Trading Post come to life. This event is free to the public and includes demonstrations of time-era activities, crafts and games.

Main events will be held Saturday from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Early set-up is Thursday, Sept 5-6, for Buckskinner Camp and Vendors.

Fort Connah is located 6 miles north of St. Ignatius at mile marker 39 on Highway 93.

For general information and trader/vendor set-ups, call Carolyn Corey/Preston Miller at (406) 745-4336 or email: 4winds@blackfoot.net. For more information about camping and demonstrators, contact Chris Poloynis at (406) 327-7834 or email: cpspartan55@gmail.com. 

POLSON — Chapter 1122 of the Experimental Aircraft Association hosts the Polson Fly-In at the airport on Saturday, Sept. 7. This free event includes static displays, float planes, antique aircraft, and experimental airplanes.

ARLEE — The ninth annual Festival of Peace is scheduled for Saturday, Sept. 7. The festival begins with the third annual Walk-A-Mile for Peace. People come together to pray for peace and harmony. Drum Brothers, Joan Zen and Naked Soul provide musical entertainment. Food, clothing and art vendors round out the festival atmosphere on the garden grounds. Volunteers and sponsors are needed to help setup and take part in the event. Call (406) 726-0555, for more information.

POLSON — National Grandparents Day is Sept. 8. This started with a federal proclamation in 1978 by President Jimmy Carter declaring the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day to honor our nation’s grandparents. Census bureau statistics of 2011 listed over 7 million grandparents with grandchildren under 18 years old living with them and 2.7 million grandparents responsible for the basic needs of one or more grandchildren under the age of 18 living with them.

The Miracle of America will give free admission to grandparents bringing paying grandchildren on that day from 1:30 to 6 p.m.

VALLEY VIEW — The first potluck of the season for the Valley View community will be Sept. 8, at 5 p.m. Everyone is welcome and you do not have to live in Valley View to attend.  Bring your favorite potluck dish and come enjoy some good food and company.  Valley View Clubhouse is located at 40762 Valley View Rd. Potlucks take place the second Sunday of every month through May, unless there is a holiday, then it will be the next Sunday.  If you have questions, call Kelly Bailey at (406) 883-2910.

POLSON — Mission Valley Animal Shelter is offering a free class to train people to work with dogs to help them get adopted on Sept. 9, 11 and 12, from 9–11 a.m. each day. Following the class, trainees must be able to make an eight-week commitment, twice a week, for an hour each time to work with dogs. You must be at least 18 years old. Call Jill at MVAS, (406) 883-5312, for more information and to register.

POLSON — The next gathering of the “Thyme for Herbs Group” will be Tuesday, September 10, at 7 p.m. at the North Lake County Public Library meeting room, 2 First Ave. E. (use the east side door). 

With increased numbers of microbes becoming drug resistant and flu season upon us, we will concentrate in the next couple of months on building a healthy immune system. We will also continue our “Herbal 911 Studies” where we learn which herbs you need to have in your home and how to use them when you have a health issue. We need to plan ahead so we are ready for whatever comes our way.

Anyone interested in learning to use herbs for better health is invited to join us. Bring your questions for discussion.

If you have questions, please call Linda Peterson at (406) 319-2446.

RONAN — The Mission Mountain Quilt Guild will hold its organizational meeting for the new year on Sept. 10 at the Terrace Lake Community Church, 35663 Terrace Lake Rd. 

We will begin registering at 6 p.m. so please come early to start that process and to hang your show and tell. The meeting starts promptly at 7 p.m. The officers are bringing refreshments. Everyone is welcome.

POLSON — Heart to Heart will play on Sept. 11 at the Elks. From now on we are dancing every Wednesday. Treats are welcome as always. Dancing is from 7-10 p.m., so come join us.

POLSON — The Polson Job Service sponsors a clinic, “Assistance for Business,” on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Ninepipes Lodge. Registration is 7:30-8 a.m. with opening remarks and presentations from the Dept. of Labor and Industry and Dept. of Revenue to follow. It runs until 5 p.m. with a lunch break. Cost is $40 for chamber members or $45 for non-members. For more information, contact the Polson Job Service at (406) 883-7885.

POLSON — A Baptist missionary to the Ukraine will speak at Fellowship Baptist Church, 2 Seventh Ave. E., on Wednesday, Sept. 11. A soup/salad/dessert dinner will be served at 6 p.m. and the speaker begins at 7 p.m.  All are welcome.

POLSON — The Polson Rural Fire District Trustee monthly meeting is scheduled for 7 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11, at the Fairgrounds Station. All residents of the Polson Rural Fire District and interested general public are encouraged to attend. Residents’ questions and ideas help to keep the trustees informed and assist them in formulating their decisions. For a full text of approved minutes and the agenda please go to www.polsonfire.org.

POLSON — On Wednesday, Sept. 11, at Cherry Valley School will hold a Child Find for children birth to age 5. Free screenings for developmental readiness, hearing, language and motor skills are offered. Call (406) 883-6333 for a free appointment.

RONAN — The Friends of Ronan Library group is sponsoring Montana Author’s Night on Thursday, Sept, 12, from 6:30 p.m.-8 p.m. at the Ronan Library. Please join us in welcoming Keith McCafferty, author of “The Royal Wulff Murders” and “The Gray Ghost Murders.”  This event is open to the public. 

POLSON — A bone marrow drive will be held at Polson Tribal Health to help Christina Ducharme. Christina was diagnosed with leukemia in June of this year and is in need of a match to help her get better. We will have the bone marrow drive on Sept. 12 from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Everyone is welcome to attend and donate. If you have any question, please call Leandria Cutfinger at (406) 370-8502. We will also be fundraising to help with the costs.

POLSON — The Masumola Club meeting will be Thursday, Sept. 12, at the Clubhouse. The social gathering begins at 5:45 p.m., the barbecue is at 6:30 p.m. and our program is at 7 p.m. The clubhouse is located on Masumola Road. Turn onto Rocky Point off Highway 93 and after the 3-mile marker, turn right onto Masumola Road.  

Anyone in the community of Polson and the surrounding area is invited to attend this meeting as a guest or to join the club. The only requirement for new guests is to bring your own utensils and a dish to pass if you wish. For membership information, call (406) 883-6184.

RONAN — For children currently residing in the Ronan-Pablo School District we are conducting our annual Child Find free screening on Thursday, Sept. 12, 2013, 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, social or basic school readiness skills.

Please make an appointment by calling Janet at (406) 676-3390 ext. 3450. Walk-ins will be subject to availability or scheduled for a later date.

Appointments are required.

POLSON — The September Friendship Table Dinner is on Sept. 13 from 5-7 p.m. at Polson Presbyterian Church, located across from Linderman School.  Come join us. This dinner is free and open to all.

POLSON — The Lake County Pachyderm Club will meet Friday, Sept. 13, in the conference room of the Fairgrounds Fire Station just across the bridge in Polson. The meeting will start at 11:30 a.m. with a brown bag lunch and social time. The formal club meeting will start at noon with a short business meeting followed by our guest speaker.

Guest speaker for the meeting is Ms. Heather Knutson, general manager of Polson’s Country Foods. She will focus on the products, company structure, growth and future of Country Foods. She is passionate about their products and enjoys being involved in the food industry. All are welcome to attend.

RONAN — A bake sale and yard sale at the Ronan Indian Senior Center, Saturday, Sept. 14, from 10 a.m.-4 p.m. Any and all people may donate baked items or items for a yard sale. If it is raining, we can hold the sale inside. If not, we will set up tables outside. Marie Cowan has agreed to make her famous fry bread for $2 each, and Indian Tacos at $5. Proceeds from the bake and yard sales will go to The People’s Voice, Inc. Hope to see you there.

POLSON — Lake County High School Rodeo held at Polson Fairgrounds Sept. 14-15 is where girls and boys participate in a wide range of rodeo activities: barrels, saddle broncs, goat-tying and breakaway and possibly for the first year there will be sports shooting. There is a great concession stand complete with homegrown Montana beef direct from our valley. For more information, call (406) 644-2874 or (406) 676-7600.

NINEPIPES — St Ignatius American Legion Auxiliary Post 106 is having a food drive on Saturday, Sept. 14, at Ninepipes Lodge for the St. Ignatius and Arlee Food Pantries. The Griz game is at 5 p.m., the silent auction and music begins at 8 p.m. Food drop off locations are: Community Bank in Ronan and Ninepipes Lodge. Call (406) 644-2588 or (406) 270-1079, for further information. 

POLSON — The 11th annual “World-Wide Paint-Out” check-in is at 10 a.m. Saturday, Sept. 14, at Riverside Park near the east end of the Polson Memorial Bridge. This fun, free event is where painters, young and old from all over the world, all paint on the same day. Bring your painting gear to Riverside Park and paint there or any location you choose. We meet back at the park at 4 p.m. for a group photo (posted on the “International Plein Air Painters” web site) and where your work is shown and the public is invited to view and purchase paintings. There is a raffle for all participants with prizes donated by many local businesses. 

DAYTON — The Chief Cliff Fire Service area is sponsoring its twenty-second annual Dayton Daze celebration at the Idle Spur Saloon on Sept. 14 this year. The theme for this year’s parade is: “Old West Heroes and Legends,” so build a float and dress up as your favorite western character and come join in the fun. There will be sailboat rides at the Dayton Yacht Club from 10 a.m.-3 p.m., a Ladies Aid Bazaar at the Dayton Church with lunch from 11 a.m.-2 p.m., wine tasting at the Mission Mountain Winery from 10 a.m.-5 p.m., parade line-up at 2 p.m. with parade at 3 p.m., games for kids, and a barbecue with music at the Idle Spur from 4:30 p.m. until closing (with free camping at the Idle Spur for those who wish to stay the night). The fire department is raffling off a Remington 330/.270 caliber hunting rifle with a scope, sling and case; $100 worth of gasoline; and an assortment of other valuable prizes. Mark your calendar and we’ll see you on Saturday, Sept. 14, at the Idle Spur Saloon. For more information, or raffle tickets, contact Zoe Lilja at (406) 849-5917.