RONAN — The Mission Mountain Quilt Guild will hold their annual quilt show Aug. 1-3 at the K. William Harvey Elementary School gymnasium. Admission is free; doors open at 10 a.m. 

This year’s theme is “A Quilter’s Garden.” Categories are: wall hanging art; challenge fabric; seasonal; table toppers; hand quilted; paper pieced; baby; lap/small; appliqué; miscellaneous; theme; vintage; wool; bed quilts; and guild sampler. Voting is on Thursday and Friday, with ribbons placed on Friday night. We will raffle off a fat-quarter basket and a quilt. 

Proceeds are used to buy supplies to make TLC quilts, which are donated to people in the valley who are in need. Gift items are also available in our “Country Store.” Members and non-members alike will display their beautiful hand-made items so come and enjoy. For more information, call Char at (406) 676-8320. 

RONAN — Come one, come all, to the Lake County Fair. The fair will feature free music for three evenings: music by the Little Big Band on Wednesday evening, Thursday will feature bingo from 1-5 p.m. and music by Western Union Band at 5:30 p.m. and on Friday bingo is from 1-5 p.m. followed by the Lake County Fair Talent Show. Community members are encouraged to participate and strut their stuff. Saturday is full of fun with the 4-H and open Dog Agility and Rally, with music by John Dunnigan from 4-7:30 p.m. 

ARLEE — Hangin’ Art Gallery in Arlee presents its summer exhibit through Aug. 16. An opening reception will take place on July 6 from 2-4 p.m., to coincide with the Arlee Powwow. For more information, go to www.hanginartgallery.com.

RONAN — The Lake County Fair begins Monday, July 29 and ends Sunday, Aug. 4. Fairgrounds are off Highway 93, north end Ronan. There will be 4-H and open class fair exhibits, food booths and kid’s games and activities all week.

POLSON - The Sandpiper Gallery will be featuring their “Color Me Wild” exhibition July 2-Aug. 10, with the reception on Friday, July 5, from 5-7 p.m.

POLSON — Mission Valley Animal Shelter is offering a special for one week for cats and kittens beginning Tuesday, July 30, until Saturday, Aug. 3. You can receive 35 percent off adoption fees; adult cats are $35 and kittens (6 months and younger) are $45. The fee includes spay or neuter, vaccinations and rabies for adult cats. 

Call (406) 883-5312, for more information

RONAN — Pioneer Days celebration begins in Ronan on Aug. 2. Pioneer Days will be held Friday, Saturday and Sunday Aug. 2-4. Events get underway Friday, Aug. 2 at 7:30 p.m. with a Bulls and Broncs Rodeo. A street dance will follow at 9:30 p.m. outside the Pheasant and Second Chance Saloon on Main Street, featuring the country music of “The Mark Duboise Band.” 

RONAN — The Ronan Class of 1973 will celebrate their 40-year class reunion during Pioneer Days this August 2-4. Fun events are scheduled for each day. For more information, call Chris J. at (406) 370-4066 or Peggy H at (406) 471-3897

RONAN — The Ronan High School class of 1963 is holding their 50th class reunion Aug. 2, 3, and 4. We will meet in Polson Friday, buy tickets for $15 each and at 1 p.m. cruise the lake on the boat out of KwaTaqNuk and after gather under the pavilion at Ronan City Park for a bring-your-own basket picnic at 5 p.m.  Saturday we will meet at the VFW for a 9 a.m. breakfast, then do a walking tour of the town led by Ray Read.  At 3 p.m. we’ll gather at Cheff’s Guest Ranch for a get-together and dinner. The cost is $15 each and they need a head count so notify me right away. Sunday, at noon, we’ll ride on a hay wagon in the parade behind Jim Smith. Please wear a black or orange shirt. For more details, contact Norma or Cathy at (406) 396-1383.  

RONAN — The 18th annual Ronan Pioneer Days 3-on-3 “Jamboree” will be held Saturday, Aug. 3 in downtown Ronan. Special events will be played on K/0 Auto Center court. 

RONAN — The Lake County Fair will hold a concert featuring the John Dunnigan Band from 4-7:30 p.m. This is a family-friendly event and free of charge.

PABLO — Pablo Elementary School students from the Ronan High School classes of 1963-1969 are invited to a reunion lunch at Cheers in Pablo on Aug. 3 at noon. For more information, call Roxy at (406) 258-6276.

POLSON — The “MSU (Bobcat) Scholarship Golf Scramble” and barbecue is Saturday, Aug. 3, at the Polson Golf Club. Golf begins at 12:30 p.m.; with the refreshments and barbecue scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Hosts include MSU President Cruzado, dignitaries and coaches. All proceeds to benefit Montana State University student athlete scholarships. Call (406) 883-8803 for more information.

RONAN — In conjunction with Ronan Pioneer Days and the Fair, the Lake County Chapter #1122 of the Experimental Aircraft Association will host Young Eagles Flights at Ronan Airport open house on Saturday morning, Aug. 3, starting at 9 a.m. All children ages 8-17, with their parents’ approval, can get a ride in an airplane free of charge.

POLSON — The Polson Skate Jam is Aug. 3 at noon, at the Seventh Avenue Skate Park. Prizes are awarded for trick and bowl skating contests. Skaters of all ability levels may participate. A product toss with an assortment of skate merchandise will complete the Skate Jam. For more information, call (406) 253-8319.

POLSON — Celebrate the opening of the Mission Valley’s Aquatic Center at the 11th annual “Water Daze” event Saturday, Aug. 3, with a one-mile swim race at Boettcher Park beginning at 1 p.m. The cost is $20 if pre-registered and $25 the day of the event. There will be lots of fun activities for the kids including a huge water slide and a barbecue. There will also be a fun swim after the 1-mile swim.Go to: www.mvaquatics.org/mva-events/water-daze/, to register.

RONAN — A pancake breakfast at the Ronan VFW kicks things off Saturday at 7 a.m. on the second day of Pioneer Days. The Mission Mountain Classic Run begins at 8 a.m. At 10 a.m. the kids' parade takes place and at noon the “Kiddies’ Rodeo” begins, including sheep riding, stick-horse racing, sheep dressing, calf cash race, chicken scramble and a pig scramble. An evening rodeo and Ring of Fire begins at 7:30 p.m. A street dance at KD’s Valley Club is at 9 p.m. followed by another street dance featuring “Cabin Fever” outside the Pheasant and Second Chance on Main Street at 9:30 p.m. 

CHARLO – The Ninepipes Museum of Early Montana is pleased to announce that Joyce Decker Wegner will be on hand 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday, August 3, to sign and sell copies of her latest book, Lake County School History, Volume II. Over 500 people have collaborated with Decker and the Lake County Country School Historians to gather stories, photos, oral and written histories, and documents. Come celebrate the amazing accomplishment achieved by Decker and her associates. Refreshments will be served. For more information, please call (406) 644-3435.

BIG ARM — Join us in Big Arm on Aug. 4, from 11:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. for our famous and fabulous beef brisket barbecue by our Texas chef, Tim Bruner. There will be a summer egg hunt at 11:30 a.m. and from noon-3 p.m. there will be great old-fashioned kids’ games, including an egg-and-spoon relay, a family sack race, a treasure hunt using a metal detector, pony rides and the  infamous “water wars.” Ken’s Country Combo and the Western Aires will play music. Call (406) 849-6628 for  more information. All proceeds go to the Historic School’s Restoration Fund.

LAKE MARY RONAN — Kootenai Christian First Chance Camp for students entering grades 1-2 is held Aug. 4-6 The camp offers swimming, boating, fishing, sports, plus Bible study, daily devotions and group worship times and will be held at Lake Mary Ronan. Pick up registration forms and camp brochures at First Christian Church in St. Ignatius, or call Marilyn at (406) 745-4545

POLSON — The Northwest Montana Accordion Association meets at the Elks on Aug. 4.

RONAN — Pioneer Days’ big parade takes place at 12:30 p.m. and the Rodeo and Wild Buffalo Ride begin at 3 p.m. For more information, contact the Visitors Center at (406) 676-8300.

ARLEE — The third annual Native American Playwriting Festival, entitled “Old Voice – New Stories,” will be held Monday-Friday, Aug. 5-9, at Hangin’ Art Gallery on Highway 93 in Arlee. All performances begin at 7 p.m. Presentations are: Monday, Aug. 5 – “Trickster at Dirty Corner;” Tuesday, Aug. 6 – The Salish Institute Youth Storytellers: An original presentation; Wednesday, Aug. 7 – “The Hell Gate Treaty: We are This Land;” Thursday, Aug. 8 – “Thieves;” Friday, Aug. 9 – “The Dink Brothers.”

For more information, visit: www.npustin.org or call (406) 726-5005.

POLSON — You get to choose from soccer, archery training, or art classes at Polson Foursquare Church’s Vacation Bible School (K-sixth grade), Aug. 5-9, from 6-9 p.m. Call the church office at (406) 883-9347 or email: pfcgregg@gmail.com, for registration details. Training, snacks, T-shirts and lots of fun are all included. Walk-ins are always welcome all week. 

RONAN — The Mission Valley Back Country Horsemen meet on Tuesday, Aug. 6. at the Ronan VFW. For more information, call (406) 883-5876 or (406) 644-5001.

ARLEE — Purchase your produce for the week at Jocko Valley Farmers’ Market, as well as some great baked goods, value added foods and arts and crafts. Enjoy a delicious dinner served Arlee CDC and local, live music. On Aug. 7, Andre Floyd provides entertainment from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to be a vendor, contact Kelley at (406) 726-5550.

POLSON — The Polson Chamber of Commerce invites you to join us at noon for our August general meeting and luncheon on Wednesday, August 7, 2013, at the KwaTaqNuk Resort. The cost is $10.50. Our featured speaker will be Matt Seeley, race director of the Polson Triathlon.

MISSOULA – After four straight years of trillion-dollar annual budget deficits, the news is dawning on all political parties that the federal budget is long due for serious repair, and that less spending is part of the process. University of Montana economists Patrick Barkey and Paul Polzin will examine the key role the federal government plays in the Montana economy, and how changes in that role can be expected to play out across the state during the eighth annual Midyear Economic Update seminar series. 

This year’s series, “Montana’s Federal Economic Footprint: The Local Impact of Changes in Washington,” will be held in seven cities around the state. The first seminar kicks off in Kalispell on Thursday, Aug. 1. The session will be held from noon-1:30 p.m., Thursday, Aug. 8, at the Holiday Inn Downtown and includes lunch. The event is co-sponsored by the Montana Chamber of Commerce and UM’s Bureau of Business and Economic Research. For more information, visit: http://www.bber.umt.edu or call BBER at 406-243-5113.

ST. IGNATIUS — There will be a table at Rod’s Harvest Foods on Aug. 9 and Aug. 19 from 10 a.m.-6 p.m. to take orders for the 2014 Chamber of Commerce Birthday Calendars. If there are any corrections or additions, please let LaVonne know. For more information, call LaVonne Olmsted at (406) 745-3423. The deadline for these orders is Aug. 31, 2013. Thank for supporting the Chamber of Commerce and their community activities.

POLSON — Cruisen by the Bay events begin Friday, Aug. 9 and continue through Saturday, Aug. 11. Friday registration takes place at the Walmart parking lot. The actual car show continues on Main Street Saturday. Events include a “Poker Run” and “cruise” on Main Street Friday afternoon and evening. The car show continues Saturday from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. when awards are given out. That evening a free concert is at Riverside Park. 

RONAN — The Rocky Mountain Breeders Association will hold a “round pen shootout” at the Lake County Fair Grounds Aug. 9-10. In this event, three trainers start colts, provided by an outside party, over the course of two evenings, followed by a short trail course competition. A Ranch Horse Competition Series will be held Saturday, Aug. 10. This competition demonstrates a horse’s ability to perform various tasks that are part of work on a ranch. For more information, go to www.montanarmba.org or contact Mike Lyons at (406) 675-2965.

POLSON — A free dinner at Polson Presbyterian Church, across from Linderman School, will take place on Aug. 9 from 5-7 p.m. This “Friendship Table Dinner” is free and open to all.

PABLO —  The 12th annual “Spirit of God Ministries” camp meeting will take place from Aug. 10-18, by Joe’s Jiffy Stop, Highway 93 in Pablo. Tent Services will be at 7 p.m. and morning meetings begin at 10:30 a.m. 

DIXON —Plan to attend the Dixon all-school reunion on Aug. 10 from noon until early evening at the Dixon Senior Citizens’ Center. This event will be catered by the senior citizens and will cost $12 per person. Call either Carol Lipscomb at (406) 544-7422 or Shirley Christensen at (406) 644-2434, so we can get a head count for dinner.

RONAN — The Rocky Mountain Breeders Association’s Ranch Horse Competition Series takes place at the Lake County Fairgrounds Saturday, Aug. 10. This competition demonstrates a horse’s ability to perform various tasks that are part of work on a ranch. For more information, go to www.montanarmba.org or contact Mike Lyons at (406) 675-2965.

POLSON — A 60-year class reunion for 1953 Polson High School classmates is being planned for Saturday, August 10. Social time will be from 4:30-6:30 p.m. and dinner will be served at 6:30 p.m. The cost is $20 for singles and $40 for couples. The Elks will provide a no-host bar. We invite any Polson High graduate, or friends from the early-to-mid 1950s, to join the class for social time and dinner. Contact Darryl Dupuis for more information at (406)-249-7045. 

POLSON — The 42nd annual Outdoor Art Festival is Saturday, August 10, 10 a.m.-5 p.m., at the Lake County Courthouse Lawn. View fine art originals in all media; jewelry; handmade furniture; birdhouses; hand-sewn items; stained glass; rose maling; pottery; candles; sculptures and many other interesting and unique items. Various musical entertainment and food concessions are included. Call the gallery at (406) 883-5956 or visit their website at Sandpiperartgallery.com, for more information or for a participant application.

POLSON — There will be a Polson School board meeting at 5:30 p.m. on Monday, August 12, at the district office, 111 Fourth Ave., E.

ST. IGNATIUS — VBS will be held at Zion at Diamond and Second Ave. in St. Ignatius from August 12-16 from 8:30-11:30 a.m. All children from preschool to eighth grade are welcome. There will be a mid-morning snack provided. For more information, you may call Rev. Kyle Whaley at (406) 883-4041 on Monday, Wednesday or Friday and at (406) 745-4149 on Tuesday or Thursday

POLSON — The next gathering of the “Thyme for Herbs Group” will be Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. at the North Lake County Public Library meeting room, 2 First Ave., E. (use the east side door). 

Our topic for the evening will be “Herbal 911.” Learn which herbs you need to have in your home and how to use them when you have a health issue. 

We will also discuss harvesting herbs, saving seeds, and storage of herbs. Bring your questions for discussion.

Anyone interested in learning to use herbs for better health is invited to join us. If you have questions, please call Linda Peterson (406) 319-2446.

RONAN — The American Legion post 138 of Ronan is meeting Tuesday, Aug. 13, at 7 p.m. at the VFW Hall in Ronan, 35981 Round Butte Rd. New Members are welcome. For more information, call (406) 676-3380.

RONAN — The Ladies’ Auxiliary VFW 5652 meeting is Aug. 14 at 6:30 p.m. at the Ronan VFW Hall, 35981 Round Butte Rd. New members are welcome. For more information, call Rocki Davis at (406) 210-1862 or (406) 676-3143.

ARLEE — Purchase your produce for the week at Jocko Valley Farmers’ Market, as well as some great baked goods, value added foods and arts and crafts. Enjoy a delicious dinner served by Arlee Pride Basketball and local, live music. On Aug. 14, Eric Hutchins provides entertainment from 5-7 p.m. For more information or to be a vendor, contact Kelley at (406) 726-5550.

POLSON — The Polson Rural Fire District trustees’ monthly meeting is Wednesday, Aug. 14, at 7 p.m. at the Polson Fairgrounds Station. All residents of the Polson Rural Fire District and are encouraged to attend. Any member of the public wishing to submit items for Board review/consideration needs to submit them to the board clerk at least ten days in advance of the meeting. For a full text of approved minutes and the agenda, please go to www.polsonfire.org.

RONAN — Last day to turn in reading logs at Ronan City Library.

ST. IGNATIUS — Montana’s Shakespeare in the Park’s production of “ The Recruiting Officer” is performed at 6 p.m., Aug. 15 at the St. Ignatius Amphitheater. The play will move to the St. Ignatius Elementary gym if there’s inclement weather.

POLSON — Support Polson Late Afternoon Social Hour is held on Thursday, Aug. 15, from 5-7 p.m. Your host is Glacier Bank, 49430 Highway 93.

POLSON — A tour of the Bibler home and gardens near Kalispell is Thursday, Aug. 15. We travel up Flathead Lake’s west shore to the Bibler home and their five acres of manicured gardens. En route home via the east shore, we’ll lunch at an historic restaurant. Departure times from Community Bank branch parking lots are: Ronan-8 a.m. and Polson-8:30 a.m. We return at 3:30 p.m. The cost for Community Bank Customers is $75 and for guests $90.

ST IGNATIUS — The Fort Connah Restoration Society will host an open house on Sept. 7-8 (not Aug. 16 as previously listed in error). 

POLSON — The third annual Flathead Lake Blues Festival is Friday and Saturday, August 16-17 on the lakeshore of the new Polson fishing dock. For more information, contact David Venters at (406) 885-2377. 

KALISPELL —Drum Brothers presents the Montana Outdoor Rhythm Camp Aug. 16-18 at the  Montanagua Sanctuary.  For more information and to register, visit www.drumbrothers.com, www.facebook.com/drum.brothers, or call 406-531-8109.