POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library will be closed on Monday, Jan. 15, in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This means there will be no children’s programming on this day.

HELENA — The next Governor’s Housing Task Force meeting will be held on Jan.17. Join us in-person or online: 10-11:30 a.m., room 111, Metcalf Building, Montana Department of Environmental Quality, 1520 E Sixth Ave. Helena or join via Zoom: Webinar ID: 856 7254 5597 Passcode: 769048 or join via telephone: 206-337-9723.

POLSON — Brittany from Families First will talk about “Houses and Homes” at the North Lake County Public Library’s Story Time at 10 a.m. in their temporary location, First United Methodist Church 301 16th Ave.

POLSON — Join the business community for SPLASH (Support Polson Late Afternoon Social Hour) at handMade Montana. Each SPLASH highlights a different member’s business, allowing them to display their business and rub shoulders with other business professionals. SPLASH features food and beverages and is accompanied by split-the-pot opportunities and a $200 door prize. See you there!

POLSON — Mondays mean Mother Goose! Join us at 9:15 a.m. Mother Goose is geared toward ages 0 to 3, but all are welcome. We encourage parents & caregivers to participate with their children for this early learning time. Just one more Mother Goose at our temporary location. 

Join us Jan. 22 at the church, then we will see you again Feb. 12 for a special “Sneak Peek” Mother Goose at the renovated library. 

By Donna Daniels for the Valley Journal

RONAN — Mission Valley Senior Center is located across from St. Luke’s Hospital.

We are open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays for lunch and other activities.

Our menu:

 —  Jan. 24: soup, sandwiches, salad, dessert

 —  Jan. 26: birthday dinner – roast beef, potatoes, salad, dessert

 —  Jan. 29: hot beef sandwiches, salad, dessert

AARP tax people will be here every Wednesday through April 10 starting on Feb. 7.  They will prepare taxes for any age and any income. Give us a call to sign up for this great service at 406-676-2371.

Dues are due for 2024. They are $10 per person.

The Mission Valley Senior Center is available for renting for your events. Call us if you are having an event and need a location to have it.

Pinochle is played every Monday from 3:30-6 p.m. at the center. Everyone is welcome.

We also have a pool table available Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. Come join the fun!

Everyone is welcome for our meals no matter what age you are. We ask for a $7 donation for our Monday, Wednesday, and Friday meals and $10 for our Sunday meal.

If you would like a meal delivered to your business just call us by 10 a.m.

By Barb Plouffe for the Valley Journal

ST. IGNATIUS — Thank you to all that braved the cold and snow to play Bingo. We had fun, stayed warm, had snacks, celebrated a birthday and enjoyed the company. Due to the number of players we were able to pay out $100 for the blackout this time.   

There will be an increase in the cost of the meals by $1 in February due to the increased cost of food.   

If you would like a takeout meal, call 406-745-4462 by 10 a.m. on Tuesdays and Fridays and by 2 p.m. on Wednesdays. Menus for the month are available in the entryway of the center.

Menu:

 —  Friday, Jan. 26: noon - chili with fry bread, mixed fruit, carrot cake

 —   Jan. 30: noon - chicken casserole, biscuits, broccoli/ cauliflower, dessert

We are still looking for a part-time bookkeeper/manager.

We have walkers, canes, crutches, commodes and a bath bench to loan out.

—  The Foot Hills Club meets the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 1 p.m. for snacks and cards.

—  Gently Yoga is held on Wednesdays at 1-2:15 p.m. If you are interested, call Bonnie Kiser at 406-253-0177.  Her rates are five sessions for $60.

Our St. Ignatius Senior Center is open to people renting it. If you are interested, call 406-745-4462 and leave a message.

RONAN — Come meet with Senate Minority Leader Pat Flowers and Senate Minority Whip, Susan Webber at the Lake County stop of the Legislative Listening Tour scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 25, at 6 p.m. This public event will take place at the mission Valley Senior Center in Ronan and all are welcome. Please come share your thoughts on the direction of the state, including property taxes and your ideas for the future of Montana. Contact Mary Caferro at 406-461-2384 for more information.

POLSON — Join us at 10 a.m. at our temporary location: First United Methodist Church 301 16th Ave. East. Story Time is geared toward kindergarten readiness, ages 3-5, but everyone is welcome. We read books, make crafts, and play games. Parents and caregivers are encouraged to join in this interactive program. We only have one more Story Time session at our temporary location: January 25. Then the library will be closed while we move. We will see you again at the renovated library on Feb. 15.

POLSON — Folks who enjoy singing are invited to join the Mission Valley Choral Society, auditions are not required, when practices begin Thursday, Jan. 25, at the Presbyterian Church Fellowship Hall in Polson.

The 35+ voice community choir, directed by Cathy Gillhouse, practices on Thursdays from 7 to 9 p.m. for two spring concerts scheduled for April 20-21. Director Gillhouse has selected a 10-piece program that includes classical, contemporary, sacred, spiritual, gospel, barbershop and American folk songs. The choir, which has existed in the county since the 1960s, brings a diverse group together from all corners of the county. For information, call 406-261-3304 or 406-370-2076; or check out the MVCS web site: missionvalleychoralsociety.org or their Facebook page.

POLSON — On Friday, Jan. 26, Mission Valley Live brings Pollo Loco to the Polson High School auditorium. 

Saddle your pony and take a crazy ride into the past with Pollo Loco (Crazy Chickens) Western Music with a Twist. Since 1989, their impeccable three-part harmonies have been rattling the rafters. They’ll take you back to the days of Gene and Roy, bringing warmth to the classic western songs they sing. 

$13 advance tickets are available at missionvalleylive.com and at the following Ticket Outlets: In Polson at First Interstate Bank; In Ronan at Ronan True Value. $15 tickets available at the door; youth 18 & under free.

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library will be closed from Saturday, Jan. 27-Tuesday, Feb. 13. During this time no services will be offered. The new outside materials return will be available at the original library location.