RONAN — The Lake County Fairgrounds will be the site of Ronan Chamber of Commerce’s first Summer Solstice Beer and Music Festival on Saturday, June 24. Over 20 different microbrews will be available. Put this event on your calendar. More information to come.

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 — All are welcome to the Yellow Bay Community Bazaar, Saturday, June 24, from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. at the Yellow Bay Community Clubhouse, 23420 Montana Hwy 35 (mile marker 18).  

The day includes several sale tables full of gently used household items, furniture, a used book sale by Polson’s Friends of the Library, homemade bake sale, lunch wagon of hot dog and fixin’s, and free coffee. For more information call 406-982-3064 or email: yellowbayclubmt@gmail.com  

RONAN — The Lake County Democrats will host their annual spaghetti dinner and fundraiser on Wednesday, June 28 at 5:30 p.m. at the Mission Valley Senior Center. The featured speaker is Ryan Busse, author of Gunfight, an expose of the gun industry. He is a former firearms executive and an adviser for the US Senate Sportsman Caucus. The cost for the event is $25 per person and gift baskets will be auctioned off. Call Dayna McClure at 406-544-5165 if you have any questions.

ARLEE — The Arlee Celebration Powwow begins with Campers’ Day and gates opening at 9 a.m. 

RONAN — The Flathead Irrigation District’s monthly meeting takes place on May 24 at 1 p.m. at Mission West Community Development Partners, 407 Main Street SW. The meeting is upstairs, and an elevator is provided. 

POLSON — Future Phenoms Golf Camp is designed for competitively driven Montana youth golfers, ages 12-18, who have goals of state championships or college scholarships. Two sessions will be held: 8 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m. The cost is $200. 

(Two scholarships will be available for each session. Included in the scholarship will be entry into the camp and a $150 travel stipend. Scholarship information can be found by emailing Cameron Milton, PGA at cmilton@pga.com.) Lead instructor is Cameron Milton.

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, June 28, 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. Please 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). Steph Gillin will bring the “Maker Truck” with all sorts of fun activities. See you at 10 a.m.

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.

POLSON — The Polson Chamber of Commerce will hold their 12th annual Chamber Blast Event on Friday, June 30, at Big Sky Sporting Clays, 3500 Irvine Flats Road. Registration takes place from 10-10:20 a.m.; 10:20-10:30 a.m. a Shooter Safety briefing will take place; from 10:30-2 p.m. the sporting clays tournament will be held and from 2-2:30 p.m. lunch will be served and an awards ceremony will take place. Registration deadline is June 19. The cost is $150 per shooter or $450 per three-person team. Registration includes 100 targets, 100 shells, door prizes, lunch and awards. Send registration to: Polson Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 667, Polson, MT 59860.

ARLEE — The Arlee Celebration Powwow, “Honoring the Ways of the Salish People,” will begin at 8 a.m. with the Youth Co-Ed 3-on3 Basketball Tourney. Royalty contestant interviews take place at 11 a.m. Social dancing is at 1 p.m. and the Royalty dance exhibition judging is at 2 p.m. Registration for drum and dance competition is a 4 p.m. Supper break is at 5 p.m. Drum roll call is at 6:45 p.m. and Grand Entry is at 7 p.m. Adult women perform Traditional, Jingle, and Fancy dances and men dance Traditional, Grass, Fancy and Chicken dances. The day ends at 11 p.m.

POLSON — The Polson Splash Classic Fastpitch Youth Softball Tournament will be held Friday, June 30 to Sunday, July 2. Call 406-890-9215 for more information. Register online at: tourneymachine.com 

POLSON — Join Fellowship Fitness for an epic outdoor workout hosted by Glacier Brewing Company. The workout includes 30 minutes of HIIT Cardio and 15 minutes of stretch. The $25 entry fee includes workout and a beverage with proceeds benefiting Fellowship Fitness. Glacier Brewing Company will also donate $1 to FF for every beverage sold on July 1. Games, food, family fun and prizes are also planned. 

Follow FF on Instagram or Facebook or email: fellowshipfitness406@gmail.com to learn more and register for the event.

POLSON — Join Fellowship Fitness for an epic outdoor workout hosted by Glacier Brewing Company. The workout includes 30 minutes of HIIT Cardio and 15 minutes of stretch. The $25 entry fee includes workout and a beverage with proceeds benefiting Fellowship Fitness, a local non-profit serving the community with free fitness classes. Glacier Brewing Company will also donate $1 to FF for every beverage sold on July 1. Games, food, family fun and prizes are also planned. Follow FF on Instagram or Facebook or email: fellowshipfitness406@gmail.com to learn more and register for the event.

CHARLO — The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana summer events include our “First Saturday of the Month” event from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring artists, photographers, writers, craftspeople, musicians, and the Frybread Ladies frying up their specialty frybread. Call 406-644-3435 or check our website and social media for updates on monthly featured artisans.

CHARLO — The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana summer events include our “First Saturday of the Month” event from 10:30 a.m.-4 p.m., featuring artists, photographers, writers, craftspeople, musicians, and the Frybread Ladies frying up their specialty frybread. Call 406-644-3435 or check our website and social media for updates on monthly featured artisans.

ARLEE — Registration for the Fun Run begins at 8 a.m. At noon registration for Drum and Dance begins. At 12:45 p.m. the Drum Roll Call takes place and Grand Entry is at 1 p.m. followed by an invocation and welcoming address. Crowning of 2023-24 Royalty and the Honor Dance, a Down-Syndrome Awareness to honor Kenna Baylor will happen along with a Tiny Tots candy throw, 6-12 girls jingle special, Golden Age exhibition and the Drum competition continues. Dance Competitions for jr. boys, jr. girls, teen boys, teen girls take place. The hand drum contest is at 5:30 p.m. Drum roll call is at 6:45 p.m. and Grand Entry is at 7 p.m. followed by an invocation and welcoming address. Introduction of Royalty, Inter-Tribals and exhibition dances for Tiny Tots and Golden age (over 70), and drum contest begins. At 9 p.m. dance contests begin for Jr. and Teens, Inter-tribals, Golden Age, Seniors, junior adults. The day ends at 11 p.m.

POLSON — The Mission Valley Speedway Superoval, 1113 N. Reservoir Rd., is the site of the Late Models, Hobby Stocks, Northwest Modifieds 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.

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.