POLSON — Midweek Lenten services and soup suppers begin at Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave., E. in Polson, on Ash Wednesday, Feb. 13, and continue through March 20. Soup suppers will be served at 5:30 p.m., followed by the worship service at 6:30 p.m. The choir and high school youth group will meet after the service at 7:15 p.m. Marty Haugen’s “That You May Have Life” liturgy for Lent will be used, with the studies centered around the scriptures for each week. 

For more information, call (406) 883-5864 or visit the website: www.gslcpolsonmt.com.

RONAN — St. Paul Lutheran Church welcomes all to our Lenten worship series entitled “Broken: Seven ‘Christian’ Rules that Every Christian Should Break.” We begin at 6 p.m. with a soup supper followed by the Lenten service at 7 p.m. The services are held each Wednesday from Feb. 13-March 20. For more information, you can call the church at (406) 676-8280 and speak with Rev. Gordish or you may check out our webpage at ronanchurch.org. St. Paul Lutheran (Missouri Synod) is located at 35681 Terrace Lake Road. 

POLSON — Lenten Studies will be every Wednesday, Feb. 20, 27, and March 6, 13, and 20 at 1:00 p.m. at Polson Community Church located at 1814 First Street East.  All are welcome.

POLSON — Sandpiper Art Gallery is hosting the Native American Art Invitational Feb. 26 through April 5 at the gallery located at 306 Main St. in Polson.

Salish and Kootenai College Art Department faculty and students have contributed work to this exhibit. New SKC Art Department Director Karen Goulet and faculty member Frank Finley are both featured. Native American artists Ben Pease and D.G. House have also been invited to exhibit work. An opening reception will be held at the Gallery on Friday, March 1, from 5-7pm.

For more information contact Sandpiper Art Gallery at (406) 883-5956 or visit our website Sandpiperartgallery.com.

ARLEE — Sacred Heart Church in Arlee will hold Stations of the Cross every Wednesday during Lent at 7 pm.

ST. IGNATIUS — Stations of the Cross will be held at the St. Ignatius Mission Church on March 1 and 15 at 7 p.m. and on March 8 and 22 at 6:30 p.m. 

ST. IGNATIUS  — Upcoming events for the Lenten season at Mission Valley United Methodist Church are: March 5- Financial Peace classes begin at 7 p.m.; March 24- Palm Sunday service, 10 a.m.; March 28- Maundy Thursday Seder/Passover meal, 6 p.m.; March 31- Easter Sunrise service at 8 a.m., Easter brunch at 9 a.m. and Easter Sunday worship at 10 a.m. The church is located at 70715 Highway 93, Top of Post Creek Hill at mile marker 39.5.

For further information, call Pastor Derf Bergman at (406) 644-0122.

POLSON — Continuing through April 15, AARP tax assistance volunteers will provide free tax preparation for taxpayers of all ages with low to medium income levels. This assistance will be available at the Polson Senior Center- (406) 883-4735, every Thursday; at the Ronan Senior Center- (406) 676-2371, every Friday; and at the St. Ignatius Senior Center- (406) 745-4462, the first and third Tuesdays of the month. Please call for an appointment.

POLSON — North Lake County Public Library invites everyone to join Puff the Magic Dragon for Story Time each Thursday through April 25. This one-hour program for children age’s three to five and their caregivers is held at 10 a.m. and again at 1 p.m.  All are welcome for books, songs, finger plays, rhymes, stories, and fun.

RONAN — Ronan/Pablo summer recreation will hold sign ups for T-ball, rookies, minors, majors and Babe Ruth baseball.  Signups will be Tuesday, March 5 and Thursday, March 7 from 5:30-7:30 p.m. at the Ronan Event Center Commons. Please bring payment and a copy of your birth certificate. We will also need volunteers to coach, help with the fields and work concessions.

Please call Lennie at (406) 493-2901 or Lisa at (406) 396-7565 after 5 p.m. with questions.

POLSON — March 6 is the night of the next community dance with tunes by Ken’s Country Combo at the Elks. Ballroom dancing takes place from 7-10 p.m. Treats are welcome and wonderful.

PABLO — The People’s Center’s “Family Night” is back every Wednesday in March. The first session is March 6 at the center in Pablo. There will be a potluck dinner, beading, outfit construction, movie time, (pow-wow tapes so the tiny tots can learn dance steps and moves), drumming and singing. Everyone welcome. Come and bead, sew, and share your knowledge with others who are wanting to learn. For more information, call Marie at (406) 675-0160, ext 2104.

RONAN — Ronan High School’s Production of “Grease” will be at the Ronan Performing Arts Center March 8 and 9 at 7 p.m. The story reflects Rydell High’s senior class of 1959 including duck-tailed, hot-rodding “Burger Palace Boys” and their gum-snapping, hip-shaking “Pink Ladies” in bobby socks and pedal pushers, evoking the look and sound of the 1950s in this rollicking musical. 

This is the family-friendly student version of  “Grease,” so bring the whole family. Tickets are sold at the Ronan Flower Mill or at the box office the evening of the play for $5. 

POLSON —The March friendship table dinner is coming up on March 8 from 5-7 p.m. Polson Presbyterian Church is located across from the Linderman School. We will serve baked potatoes with loads of toppings including chili. We’ll also have a green salad and plenty of desserts. Come join us. This dinner is free and open to all.

RONAN — Mission Valley USBC is holding its 53rd Women’s Invitational Tournament on March 9, 10, and 16. For more information on available spots, call or e-mail: Tracy G. Shaw, association manager at (406) 675-8226 or normntracy@ronan.net. You may also contact Lucky Strike Lanes at (406) 676-8051 or xtime@ronan.net.

POLSON — Polson Running will again be supporting Mission Valley Aquatics, this time with proceeds from the March Meltdown 5K and 10K races on March 9.

Same day registration opens at 9 a.m. with the race starting at 10 a.m. Registration and starting lines are at the Polson Sports Complex, located at the intersection of Seventh Avenue and Kerr Dam Road. 

The race costs $20 (and includes a race shirt), $15 if you don’t want a shirt.

There will be a first place prize for 5K and 10K men and women. Call Tyana at (406) 883-8322 for more information or follow this link to a registration form and more information about the race: polsonrunning.com/2013/01/14/392013-march-meltdown.

If you’re not a big fan of running, organizers have asked us to round up a few volunteers as well, so please let me know if you are available to help on Saturday.

POLSON — Polson High School will have a mandatory parent/athlete spring sports meeting on Sunday, March 10 at 7 p.m. in the high school auditorium. 

All student athletes interested in participating in a spring sport, along with a parent/guardian, must attend. For more information, call Scott Wilson at (406) 883-6350 ext. 203.

ROUND BUTTE — The annual spring fling brunch hosted by Round Butte Women’s Club will be held Sunday, March 10 from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. Jack Fay will be serving sourdough pancakes. The ladies will also be serving biscuits and sausage gravy, scrambled eggs and fresh fruit. Silent auction items will be available to bid on. The clubhouse is located eight miles west of Ronan on Round Butte Road.

Please call Geri Herreid (406) 676-3054 for more information.

POLSON — The Port Polson Players announce auditions for the upcoming production of Frank Loesser’s Tony award winning musical, “Guys and Dolls.” Tryouts will be Monday evening, March 11, at the John Dowdall Theatre on the Polson golf course. Adults (ages 18 through 80) are asked to audition from 6:30-9 p.m. No prepared material is necessary, but hopeful actors will read from the script, sing and dance. There are no roles available for children in this production.

After a six week rehearsal period, “Guys and Dolls” will be performed at the John Dowdall Theatre April 26-May 5. The show is produced by the Port Polson Players in association with the Mission Valley Friends of the Arts.

POLSON — Polson School District will hold its regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on March 11 at the district office, 111 Fourth Ave., E.

POLSON — Polson School District will hold its regular board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on March 11 at the district office, 111 Fourth Ave., E.

ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Summer Recreational Baseball Program will have sign ups for all ages, 5 years to 15 years, on Monday, March 11; Wednesday, March 13; and again on Monday, March 18 at 6 p.m. in the Taekwondo Building in St. Ignatius. All interested volunteers and coaches are urged to attend. For more information, call Peter Matt at (406) 824-2556 or Stuart Morton at (406) 745-2190.

RONAN — Auditions for the upcoming community play are scheduled for March 11 and 13, at the Ronan Performing Arts Center at 7 p.m., according to play co-directors Rita Tingey and Karla Martinson. The play chosen for this year is “Don’t be Afraid of the Dark.” This is a mystery spoof and will require four men and eight women characters. It is a play, not a musical. The play is scheduled to be performed on May 23, 24 and 25. Auditioning actors need to come to audition on one of the two nights of auditions and will be asked to read from the play.

RONAN — The American Legion Post 138 of Ronan is meeting March 12 at 7 p.m., (second Tuesdays of each month), at the VFW Hall, 35981 Round Butte Rd. New members are welcome. For more information, call Jack Fay at (406) 676-3380. 

PABLO – The SKC Center for Prevention and Wellness is offering Free Hepatitis C and HIV Rapid Testing on March 12, 2013 from 9 a.m. - 4 p.m. A $15 gift card will be given after completion of testing. Please allow for 30 minutes for testing. Call 275-4913 for an appointment. 

YELLOW BAY — The Yellow Bay Community Club’s 10th annual Flathead Lake Cherry Blossom Festival will be held on Saturday, May 18, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Arts and crafts vendors are invited to apply for space reservations by calling Shari at (406) 982-3437. 

The festival is free and open to the public. Crafters and artisans offer a large assortment of locally produced items and entertainment is provided. There will be raffles and free door prizes. 

RONAN — On Wednesday, March 13, from 11 a.m.-3 p.m., Ronan City Library will serve up chili with cornbread or frybread as part of a library fundraiser. Donations of $5 to cover operating expenses will be appreciated. The library is located at 203 Main Street. Come down and enjoy good food, a beverage and great conversation. For more information, call (406) 676-3682. 

RONAN — Ronan/Pablo Summer Recreation has final signups for baseball on Wednesday, March 13, at the Ronan Event Center Commons area from 5:30-7:30 p.m.

RONAN — Ladies’ Auxiliary VFW 5652 to meet March 13 at 6:30 p.m. at the VFW Hall, 35981 Round Butte Rd. New members are welcome. For more information, call Marge Fay at (406) 676-3380.

RONAN — The National Active and Retired Federal Employees will meet at the Ronan Senior Center on Wednesday, March 13, at noon. Lunch is available.

Following lunch there will be a program featuring marine Sgt. Chuck Lewis. He will speak on veterans’ issues.

After the program there will be a brief business meeting.

POLSON — Polson Rural Fire District trustee’s monthly meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 13, at 7 p.m. at the Fairgrounds Station.

Any member of the public wishing to submit items for board review/consideration needs to submit them to the board clerk at least 10 days in advance of the meeting. For a full text of approved minutes and the agenda please go to www.polsonfire.org.

RONAN — Round Butte Grange 126 is having an informational meeting on Wednesday, March 13, at 6:30 p.m. The meeting will take place at the Ronan Senior Center, (528 W. Main St.), to let people know more about what the Grange does for the family and the community on the local, state and national levels. The Grange has many programs to benefit family, schools and senior citizens along with other organizations. There will be a speaker from National Grange to explain how the Grange works with other organizations for the betterment of people. The Grange is the oldest organization in the United Stated; organized in 1867 to benefit families and worthwhile causes. Come join us and learn more about the Grange. Call Ray Saloman at (406) 883-1130 for more information.

POLSON — St. Andrews Episcopal Church will be holding it’s annual St. Patty’s Day dinner on Thursday, March 14, at 5:30 pm. This will be a traditional Irish dinner of corned beef and cabbage, soda bread, dessert, entertainment, raffles, fellowship and fun. Tickets will be available for a suggested donation of $10 for adults and $5 for children. Call (406) 883-5524 to reserve tickets. All proceeds will benefit Loaves and Fishes, Helping Hands and CASA.

POLSON — The Masumola Club will celebrate St. Patrick’s Day Club at their meeting on Thursday, March 14. A social hour will be from 5:45 to 6:30 p.m. and dinner is at 6:30 p.m.

The clubhouse is located on Masumola Road.  Turn onto Rocky Point Road off Highway 93 and Masumola is a right turn after the 3-mile marker. The clubhouse is 1/4 mile down the 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 and enjoy friendship, meetings, and interesting programs. The only requirement for new guests is to bring your own utensils and a dish to pass, if you wish. For membership information, contact Irene Marchello at (406) 883-6184.

PABLO — AIBL will be putting on a talent show for the community on March 15 and we need talent. We have 20 open spots, there is no registration fee, and the winner will receive a trophy and a T-shirt. If you would like to participate, sign up at the Vandeburg Building at Salish Kootenai College or call Bryson at (406) 275-4853.

ST. IGNATIUS — A free workshop entitled, “Creating Inclusive Schools and Communities 2.0,” sponsored by Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition, will be offered Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Mission Valley United Methodist Church. This workshop will focus on skills to build allies and confront prejudice and bias using role-playing in both school and community settings. Interested community members are invited to attend. Continuing education credits will be offered for teachers, law enforcement, nurses, day care workers and social workers. A free lunch is included.

Reserve your space now by calling (406) 745-4259.

ST. IGNATIUS — American Legion and American Legion Auxiliary District 4’s spring meeting will be held at 10 a.m. Saturday, March 16, in the St. Ignatius Community Center.

RONAN — The 27th annual arts, crafts and flea market, sponsored by the Ronan Women’s Club, will be held Saturday, March 16, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the Ronan Community Center.

This event attracts buyers and sellers from not only the Mission Valley, but from many other areas in Western Montana. Venders may sell anything from craft items to typical bazaar and flea market items. Coffee, beverages, snacks and lunch will be available on the premises. A silent auction will be held with donated items.

Tables are available and will be reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. 

Call Alice at (406) 676-5079 to reserve a space or for further information. All proceeds for the event will be used for the numerous community projects the club is involved in.

RONAN — The Ronan Irish community will present the O’Ronan’s St. Patrick’s Day parade on Sunday, March 17, at 2 p.m. on Main Street.

All entries are welcome. Line up behind the hospital at 1:45 p.m. For more information, call Carlene at (406) 676-0646 or Jen at (406) 531-3888.

POLSON — “Bloom ‘n Birds:  Spring flowers and birds of the National Bison Range” by Pat Jamieson will be the next education program of the Mission Mountain Audubon Society on Tuesday, March 19 at 7 p.m. in the Polson Library meeting room.

Pat Jamieson will prepare you for spring by letting you know when different flowers bloom and when birds arrive at the National Bison Range. Even before Red Sleep Mountain Drive opens for the season, (plans are for Saturday, May 11, 2013), there are opportunities to get out and find signs of spring. From yellowbells and western meadowlarks in April to bitterroot and nighthawks in June, learn what to look for and where the best viewing for flowers and birds are. Thaw out and join us for an evening of color and song. Pat Jamieson is an outdoor recreation planner for the National Bison Range.

CHARLO — The Kuilix chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution will meet at 1 p.m. Tuesday, March 19, at Hope Stockstad’s home in Charlo. Refreshments will be served at 12:30 p.m. You may call (406) 644-2933 if you need directions. Prospective members are welcome. 

RONAN — At 7 p.m. on March 19 at the Ronan Performing Arts Center the Ronan High School concert bands and a percussion ensemble will perform. RHS jazz bands and Ronan show choir will also perform a number of songs from their upcoming tour to Salt Lake City.