ARLEE — Introduction of Royalty, Inter-Tribals and exhibition dances for Tiny Tots and Golden age (over 70), and drum contest begins. At 9 a.m. dance contests begin for Jr. and Teens, Inter-tribals and then for Golden Age, sr. adult men, sr. adult women, and junior adult men and jr. adult women. Flags retired at 6 p.m. Dance and drum competition winners of 2023 announced.

POLSON — Feeling lost in your faith? Receive free guidance every Sunday. Come join us on the hill at Polson Community Church, 1814 1st Street E, at 10:30 a.m. On Sunday, June 25, we will also have “Seekers,” an adult Sunday School class, at 9:15 a.m.

YELLOW BAY/ZOOM — The Flathead Lake Biological Station, 32125 Bio Station Lane, will hold science lectures for the public from 10-11 a.m., either on site or via Zoom. Speakers’ topics are determined by their areas of expertise. Contact Gordon Luikhart at 406-872-4517, for more information.

POLSON — The Polson Chamber of Commerce will hold the annual fireworks display at dusk on Monday, July 3. Witness the beauty and experience the fun at Riverside Park.

POLSON — On Tuesday, July 4, the “Have a Blast” annual 4th of July parade will be held in downtown Polson, from 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Pick up forms to enter the parade at the Polson Chamber or for more information call 406-883-5969. A $20 donation per group as the entry fee.

ARLEE — The Arlee Celebration Powwow concludes on the 4th of July with the Snake Dance during the final day with social dancing and singing. The Arlee Rodeo takes place at 2 p.m.

ARLEE — Freedom and Fireworks is the theme of the 71st annual Arlee Fourth of July Parade. Registration will be at Arlee High School entryway, with parade line up beginning in the parking lot. The parade begins at high noon, traveling South on Fyant street turning West onto Bouch before turning North and returning to the high school via Morigeau Street. Trophies will be awarded at the Arlee Jocko Valley Museum following the parade. While waiting for the trophy presentations, take a step back in time at the museum. The museum will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. and by appointment during the summer. For additional parade and museum information, contact Alvaretta Morin at 406-726-3167.

ARLEE — The Arlee Jocko Valley Museum will be open from 9 a.m.-3 p.m. on July 4. The museum is run by the Arlee Historical Society and offers private tours by reservation. The museum is located at the corner of Bouch and Fyant (by the grade school). Enjoy many historical displays, including photographs of Native and homesteading families, genealogy information and a military display commemorating fallen soldiers. Call 406-726-3167 for more information and a viewing appointment.

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, July 5, and on subsequent Wednesdays, for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku, including meditation instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom. The classes will be each Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. We will cultivate and deepen our centering skills and meditation practice during the class. Join us and take advantage of this opportunity. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665 or email at: Jerry.Smyers@gmail.com.

News from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks

HELENA — Elk hunters interested in how Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks manages elk will get a chance to weigh in on the new draft elk management plan started on June 27.

The plan will be available on FWP’s website at fwp.mt.gov/aboutfwp/public-comment-opportunities/draft-elk-plan. The public is invited to comment on the plan; deadline for comments is July 31.

“We’re anxious for public input on this new draft plan, particularly on the hunting district objectives and the suite of management tools we have laid out,” said FWP Director Dustin Temple.

The plan was crafted after expansive public outreach last summer and fall when FWP staff met with the public, landowners, hunters and others at nearly 50 meetings around the state.

With the new draft elk plan, FWP aims to balance habitat capacity, landowner tolerance and elk hunter feedback on their desired hunting experience in crafting population goals for each hunting district. Elk goals look at population numbers, as well as bull-to-cow ratios as a way of meeting this balance. 

In the past, population sizes have dominated Montana’s elk conversations. This draft plan includes changes to population goals including proposed increases and focuses on populations ranges and other aspects of herd dynamics, like bull-to-cow ratios. Now is the time for stakeholders to let FWP know what they think of this and other details of the draft plan.

“This plan will serve as our guiding document for elk management, and so it’s critical that we hear from hunters, outfitters, landowners and others during this public commenting timeframe,” Temple said.

The plan also lays out a suite of management tools for FWP and the circumstance under which they’d be used depending on population. The idea would be to match elk population status and herd make-up (bull-to-cow ratios) with the prescribed tools to reach goals. For example, hunting districts that have low bull-to-cow ratios, but with populations in objective, might see a leveling out of elk B licenses, but a decrease in either-sex opportunity to increase bull numbers.

To see the draft elk plan, including hunting district specific objectives, please click here. People who would like to comment can do so online at this link.

A draft environmental assessment (EA) for the draft elk plan will be released for public comment in about a week. With the draft EA, the public should look to comment on the environmental impacts of the draft plan.

POLSON — The Port Polson Players present Tim McGuire’s heartfelt comedy with music, “Carry Me O’er” July 6-16. Set in 1924 Ireland, an aging father, Cullan McGrath, brings his son Jack, a prominent teacher, back to the old homestead of six generations for some lessons in family, history, and a few very big surprises. But Jack has some big news of his own. Neither man’s bombshell will make the other happy yet must be told. As each tries to get the ball rolling, laughter abounds, and we learn a few lessons ourselves. Warm, wise and witty, the play features some of Ireland’s most popular traditional tunes. Seating is reserved by calling the Players box office at 406-883-9212 or online at portpolsonplayers.com; walk-ins are welcome also. Tickets are $19 for adults, $18 for senior citizens and students, with a $1 discount for MVFA members and veterans. Although shows are not recommended for children under 10 years (for complicated story lines only), ask about family and large party rates.

 POLSON — All summer reading programs will be held at the library’s temporary location, 301 16th Ave. E. (United Methodist Church building). Boat Day will have all sorts of fun activities. See you at 10 a.m.

RONAN — The Ronan Farmers Market is held every Thursday from 3:30-6:30 p.m. behind the Ronan Visitor Center. You’ll find locally grown meat, eggs, milk, and produce alongside a selection of arts and crafts from local makers.

BIGFORK — The 12th annual Bigfork Battle in the Bay Basketball Competition takes place July 8 in the Bigfork Schools’ parking lot. Registration deadline is June 19, and the entry fee is $160. For more information, call Steve Woll at 406-261-1561. No dogs are allowed.

POLSON — The Mission Valley Speedway Superoval, 1113 N. Reservoir Rd., is the site for Malicious Monster Trucks. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children 8-14; children under 7 are free. Seniors 55 and older, military and first responders pay a $10 admission fee. Family (two adults, three kids) is $40 general admission. RV dry camping fee is $50 per one RV. 

Time trials begin at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7 p.m. Call 406-212-8159 for more information.

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, July 5, and on subsequent Wednesdays, for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku, including meditation instruction, practice and discussion via Zoom. The classes will be each Wednesday from 6-7:30 p.m. We will cultivate and deepen our centering skills and meditation practice during the class. Join us and take advantage of this opportunity. For more information and a Zoom link to the class call Zenku at 847-721-0665 or email at: Jerry.Smyers@gmail.com.

POLSON — All summer reading programs will be held at the library’s temporary location, 301 16th Ave. E. (United Methodist Church building). The dance party will be lots of fun. See you at 10 a.m.

ST. IGNATIUS — Come join us in celebrating “Good ol’ Days” with some “Good ol’ Fun” by attending a “Purple Mountain Player” production of “Stop the Press” aka “She’s not my type,” the most slap stickiest, peanut throwin’ comedy this side of four corners. 

Productions will be on July 13, 14, and 15 at 7 p.m. at the Red Barn in St. Ignatius with tickets costing $10 dollars per person or $40 dollars per family. Hope to see you there. BYOP (bring your own peanuts).

POLSON — The Mission Valley Speedway Superoval, 1113 N. Reservoir Rd., is the site of the NW Super Late Models and Hobby Stocks racing. Admission is $12 for adults, $10 for children 8-14; children under 7 are free. Seniors 55 and older, military and first responders pay a $10 admission fee. Family (two adults, three kids) is $40 general admission. RV dry camping fee is $50 per one RV. Time trials begin at 6 p.m. and racing begins at 7 p.m. Call 406-212-8159 for more information.

POLSON — A reception for the “Members & Memories” art show will take place at the Sandpiper Art Gallery & Gifts, 306 Main Street, from 5-7 p.m. 

ST. IGNATIUS — Homesteader’s Day begins with their first annual Art Festival on Blaine Street. There will be art, crafts, food vendors a corn hole tournament and a beer garden from noon to 5 p.m. Good Old Days welcomes all with a barbecue meal on Friday, July 14, at the Good Old Days Park from 5-7 p.m. There will be gourmet burgers with all the fixin’s, fresh roasted beef, potato and macaroni salads, baked beans, fruit salad and dessert all for $15 for adults, $8 for kids under 10. There will be an adult and a junior division dessert baking contests with a $100 adult prize and a $50 junior prize. The farmers market takes place from 5-7 p.m. From 5:30-7 p.m. look for Big Toys! Beginning at 7:30 p.m. in the St. Ignatius Amphitheater, Jeff Daniels and Western Front will provide family fun by performing classic country and rock music. Weather permitting, a fireworks display will end the evening. Plans are in place for the first annual softball tournament on both Friday and Saturday.

POLSON — The Lake County Pachyderm will be meeting Friday, July 14 at the Polson Fire Station at 25 Regattta Rd.  The meeting starts at noon with guest speaker Linda Reksten, Montana House District 12 representative. Linda will be speaking about the last legislative session and what she is working on now, and will be available to answer questions. Admission is free. Visit the lakecountymtrepublicans.com website for more information.

ST. IGNATIUS — The “Purple Mountain Player’s” second performance of “Stop the Press” will be on Friday, July 14, at 7 p.m. at the Red Barn in St. Ignatius. Tickets cost $10 dollars per person or $40 dollars per family. Hope to see you there. BYOP (bring your own peanuts).

ST. IGNATIUS — Day two of Good Old Days begins with a pancake breakfast served at the St. Ignatius Senior Center from 7-11 a.m. Register for the Good Old Days parade, (the largest parade in Lake County), at 9 a.m. on July 15. Judging starts at 11 a.m. and the parade is at noon. You must be at the St. Ignatius High School before 11 a.m. to enter the parade. Parade categories include animal drawn vehicle, child rider, Native American, youth 12 & under, farm equipment, antique car, custom car, stock car, adult horse rider, commercial, novelty/humorous, clubs/organizations/group. Big Sky Mafia’s car/truck show will take place at the Community Center parking lot from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Come out and see all the awesome trucks and cars. Contact Big Sky Mafia on Facebook if you want to put a vehicle in the show. Big Toys will be at the Good Old Days Park from 1-4 p.m. Dog races are at 1 p.m. and food and craft vendors will be at the park from 1-4 p.m. Bingo will be played from 2-4 p.m. at the Senior Center. Family games like egg races, a water balloon toss, sprints and gunny sack races happen at 2 p.m. A beer walk is at 2:30 p.m. along with a tug-o-war. Lawn mower races are at 3 p.m. and from 1-4 there will be a tractor show and a National Guard obstacle course. From 4-8 p.m. a Brisket, pork with all the fixins barbeque will be held at the airport along with helicopter rides for $50 a seat. The day ends with a night at the movies in the Amphitheatre at dusk.

POLSON — Good Shepard Lutheran, 409 Fourth Ave. E, will hold a Christmas in July Bazaar on Saturday, July 15, from 9 a.m.-3 p.m.

ST. IGNATIUS — The St. Luke Buffalo Run is part of family orientated fun in the St. Ignatius Good Old Days Event and is hosted by St. Luke Community Healthcare, as a way to give back to the community and the St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce.

Due to rising costs, there will not be a half marathon this year, but the other runs will continue as they have for years. The 1-mile fun run (walk/run), 4-mile run, and 7-mile run all start promptly at 8 a.m. on Main Street in front of Gambles Hardware (112 N. Main Street, St. Ignatius.) While each run takes a different route, they all end back at the starting line and the courses will be marked.

Entry deadlines: regular rates are available March 1 until July 12. All entries after July 12 will be considered same-day registrations. Sign up at: https://runsignup.com/Race/MT/StIgnatius/GoodOldDaysBuffaloRun. 

T-shirts are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Exact sizing not guaranteed. Same-day registration shirts will be limited to the supply available on race day. 

For more information, please contact Whitney Liegakos at 406-528-5262 or email: wliegakos@stlukehealthcare.org.

RONAN — Stop by Ronan City Park from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for some music, food, and fun, and to show your pride. Serving hot dogs, chips, cookies, and watermelon. Sign up for the Food Competitions as well, with categories: best sweet, best presentation, most unusual, and most savory. This event is co-hosted by SAFE Harbor, Mission Mountain Empowerment, Providence St. Joseph Medical Center, Journey to Wellness, and Spirit of Many Colors. 

ST. IGNATIUS — The “Purple Mountain Player’s” final performance of “Stop the Press” will be on Saturday, July 15, at 7 p.m. at the Red Barn in St. Ignatius. Tickets cost $10 dollars per person or $40 dollars per family. Hope to see you there. BYOP (bring your own peanuts).