POLSON — The Lake County Republican Pachyderm meeting will take place from noon to 1 p.m. at the Polson Rural Fire Dept., 25b Regatta Rd.

POLSON — The Polson Farmer’s Market is open every Friday from 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. until October. Located in downtown Polson, 3rd Ave. W, (in front of the Cove Deli) the market offers locally produced fresh vegetables, fruits, meats, cheese, eggs, honey, jams & jellies, baked goods, bedding plants, perennials, shrubs, veggie & herb starts, hanging baskets, cut flowers, soaps, skin care products, wood working products, jewelry, photography, art, pottery, and many more unique craft items.

FREE Pickleball clinic and playing for beginner/intermediate players. For teens and adults, the clinic will cover the basics on rules, skill and of course, playing time. In St. Ignatius, at the new tennis courts on Sunday, 09/24/23 from 12:30 - 2:30 p.m. Instructor is Mike Marnin from Polson. A former HS/MSU tennis player and 4.0 pickleball player. Registration to reserve a spot is due by Friday, 09/22/23 by calling or texting Kimimi Ashley, 406-273-8203.

POLSON — On Monday, Sept. 25, from 6-7:30 p.m. Kyle Langley will present, “Bison Archaeology in Glacier National Park.” This program is another in the Montana Library Network Virtual programming series. This program is free and open to all. You must register to receive the link. Register at: tinyurl.com/GNPbisonMT. Kyle Langley is an archaeologist with Glacier National Park. He studies the past and present human relationship with rugged high alpinwe environments such as Glacier National Park, exploring how humans have found sustenance and meaning in these environments.

POLSON — The next regular meeting of the North Lake County Public Library’s Board of Trustees will be on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m. All meetings will be held at our temporary location until further notice. The public is welcome to join us at 301 16th Ave. E (First United Methodist Church) for the Board meetings. 

POLSON — This is a presentation on the Duluth Model used with the Batterer Intervention Program, coordinated by SAFE Harbor in cooperation with the courts. Session designed to increase awareness of this program with those working in the justice system including law enforcement, attorneys, judges and department staff. Join the presentation on Sept. 25 from noon to 1 p.m. at the Lake County Court House large meeting room. Lunch will be provided. Zoom option available. SAFE Harbor Men’s Group facilitator Mary Dumontier will be the presenter. For more information or to RSVP contact at ladams@lakemt.gov.

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s Mother Goose program takes place on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. This is an opportunity for parents or caregivers to interact with their young children. This program is geared toward ages zero to three.

POLSON — The next regular meeting of the North Lake County Public Library’s Board of Trustees will be on Tuesday, Sept. 26, at 5:30 p.m. All meetings will be held at our temporary location until further notice. The public is welcome to join us at 301 16th Ave. E (First United Methodist Church) for the Board meetings. 

RONAN — Friends of the Fairgrounds announces an Open Organizational Planning Meeting for Lights Under the Big Sky on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Community Center in Ronan at 7 p.m. The Lights Under the Big Sky event has been held for six years and has become a popular community event drawing visitors from all over Western Montana.

The core group of volunteers that have put on this event is now too small to manage the growth the event has experienced.

Friends of the Fairgrounds is currently seeking volunteers to help set up and dismantle the venue for the event.

For more information, call Patty at 406-676-4925.

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesday, Sept. 27, 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.  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 — Lake County Democrats invite you to attend a webinar presented by the University of Montana Mansfield Dialogues Series on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7:30 p.m. at the Mission Bay Clubhouse, 312 Montana Landing in Polson. Lessons from the Edge: A Community Dialogue with Former Ambassador to Ukraine Marie Yovanovitch. For further information contact Suz Rittenhouse at 406-250-0480.

RONAN — The Flathead Irrigation District will be holding their monthly meeting on the fourth Wednesday of the month, Sept. 27, at 1 p.m. Mission West Community Development Partners, 407 Main Street SW, will hold the meeting upstairs and an elevator is provided. 

POLSON — Come join the North Lake County Public Library’s youth book club, the Page Turners. We’ll be reading “Because of Mr. Terupt,” by Rob Buyea. Come pick up your copy of the book from the library in August and we will meet to discuss the book on Sept. 27 at 3:30 p.m.

RONAN — The Mission Valley Live Season kick-off fundraiser will take place at the Ronan Performing Arts Center at the Ronan Middle School, 35885 Round Bute Road W, on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at 7 p.m. Here Comes the Sun Band is five extraordinary vocalists and multi-instrumentalists that love to recreate the fun and excitement of the greatest Rock n’ Roll experience ever – the Fab Four. Tickets are $20 and can be purchased in Polson at First Interstate Bank, in Ronan at Ronan True Value.

RONAN — Ronan City Council meetings are held on the second and fourth Wednesday of each month at 6 p.m. at City Hall, 207 Main Street SW Ste A. For more information call 406-676-4231.

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s Storytime Program takes place at 10 a.m. on Thursdays. On Sept. 21 “colors” will be their theme.

POLSON — Polson Community Church, 1814 First Street E, is holding the Fifth Friday Dinner on Sept. 29 from 4:30-6:30 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

RONAN — Life for the Nations and other community churches will sponsor a Hope for the Mission Valley Gala event on Friday, Sept. 29, 2023. This will be an elegant affair with a “Montana formal” dress code. The purpose of the event is to bring to the Mission Valley a Christ-centered recovery program for those struggling with drug and alcohol addiction, specifically a Hope Center Ministries Women’s recovery center in 2024. They are in the fundraising stages and have a goal of raising $300,000. The evening will include a catered meal, testimonials and both live and silent auctions. Tickets are $75 each (150 available) and a full table for eight is $600 (32 available). To donate, sponsor or for more information, call 406-883-0865. Life for the Nations is located at 128 Main Street SW in Ronan. 

ST. IGNATIUS — On Friday, Sept. 29, from 5-7 p.m. at the Good Ole Days Pavilion. Mission Falls Market is excited to announce the return of the Garlic Festival to celebrate food, friends, and community. A local meal featuring the bounty of the Mission Valley, local beverages, and live music from Aarron Waling Jennings will be featured. Purchase tickets online in advance as only a limited number of tickets will be sold the day-of. 

POLSON — Feeling lost in your faith? Free guidance every Sunday. Come join us on the hill at Polson Community Church at 10:30 a.m., 1814 First St. E. We also have “Seekers,” an adult Sunday School class, at 9:15 a.m.

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s Mother Goose program takes place on Mondays at 9:15 a.m. This is an opportunity for parents or caregivers to interact with their young children. This program is geared toward ages zero to three.

RONAN — The Mission Valley Children’s Choir will begin its 8th year on Tuesday, Oct. 3 at the Faith Lutheran Church, 406 5th Ave. SW in Ronan. Refreshments and “together time” begin at 3:40 p.m., with rehearsals held from 4 to 5 p.m. every Tuesday.  The choir is open to children from the Mission Valley in grades 2-6. Choir directors are Mrs. Cathy Gillhouse and Wendy Sanders. Participation is free of charge. 

Gillhouse will pick up the children who attend K. William Harvey and bring them to the church. They will meet at the flagpole in front of the school. It is the director’s goal to expose the children to many different styles of music throughout the year, ranging from multicultural, spirituals, folk songs, show tunes, patriotic, sacred and seasonal. Contact Gillhouse at 406-207-3032 or gill4748@hotmail.com, for more information.

POLSON — The Polson Chamber of Commerce will host Mission West Community Development at noon luncheon at the Kwataqnuk Resort on Dec. 4. Their goal is to enhance the quality of life and economic well-being of all residents of the communities they serve. Mission West works with small businesses, community development organizations, cooperative businesses, and food and agriculture producers to enhance the economic well-being of the communities and businesses we serve. We offer businesses development services, food processing and manufacturing, cooperative business start-up support, community development assistance, and access to one-on-one free training, coaching, and mentoring from our expert network consultants to help you develop and bolster your business. Visit our website: www.missionwestcdp.org for information about our free business development services and to view our free business training and development workshop offerings.

KALISPELL — Flathead Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center is hosting free community lectures and no registration is necessary. Lectures are held in the Arts & Technology building, room 139. “Subconscious Seduction: Russian Cyber Meddling in Eastern Europe” will take place on Thursday, Oct. 5, from 6-7:30 p.m. Russia’s effort to menace Eastern Europe extends well beyond Ukraine as Putin’s regime continues its cyber campaign to influence public opinion (and political leadership) in countries such as Hungary, Serbia and the Baltic States. Winning the hearts and minds of this geostrategic region means securing voters and political party leaders who are sympathetic to Russia and, thus, uncooperative NATO and EU partners. This lecture discusses the nature of the threat and what it means for the U.S. and its allies. For more information about FVCC’s Continuing Education fall class offerings, visit: fvcc.edu/ContinuingEducation.

POLSON — Go to the Mission Mountain Empowerment yard sale on Saturday, Oct. 7, from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. at 35647 S. Hills Drive.

POLSON — Pastor Bruce Richter joins Polson Community Church for the first time of Sunday Oct. 8. Come join us on the hill at Polson Community Church at 10:30 a.m., 1814 1st St E, Polson. We also have “Seekers,” an adult Sunday School class, at 9:15 a.m.

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesdays for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku. Classes include 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.

KALISPELL — Come enjoy a pleasant, non-strenuous walk around Lone Pine State Park from at 3-4 p.m.

Meet at the Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center. This program is meant to offer a chance to enjoy the fall foliage in the park with guided information about local flora and fauna. Whether you are new to the area or have lived here your whole life, come learn about the local ecosystem of the Flathead Valley. Please call 406-755-2706, ext. 0, to register, as space is limited. Cost is free ($8 park entry fee still applies to out-of-state vehicles).

POLSON — Join hosts Jane and Mike Mitchell and Shannon and Mark Nunlist at the October meeting Thursday, Oct. 12, at 5:45 p.m. at the Masumola Clubhouse. Hosts are providing chicken pot pie. Please consider the following as you plan your additions to the meal plan: A – H salad or veggie; I – O hot dish; P - Z dessert. Remember your plates, silverware, beverage of choice and your dues check if you forgot it last month.  Dues are $20/individual or $40/family for the year.

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library will present on Thursday, Oct. 12, from 6:30-8 p.m., “Hauntings of Montana” with Ellen Baumler. This is another in the Montana Library Network Virtual Program Series. This program is free and open to all. You must register to receive the link. Register at: https://tinyurl.com/hauntingsMT.  History and the supernatural are the canvas for this program that intertwines the past with the present. Historian, storyteller and award-winning author Ellen Baumler weaves a ghostly web in a thought-provoking journey to Montana’s most spirited places. Basing her true stories on firsthand accounts, personal interviews and historical records, her well-researched tales have scared and delighted audiences of all ages.

POLSON — A German dinner of schnitzel, spaetzle, red cabbage, salad and dessert will be served for $15 a plate at the Mission Valley Elks Lodge – 1695 on Oct. 13 at 6 p.m. Buy tickets in advance – ask bartender.

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s Friends of the Library group has generously offered to take on our book and movie donation program. Starting now, we will accept encyclopedias that are 40 years old or older and textbooks. Condition rules still apply. There is no longer a limit to how many donations the library can take. However, if you are planning to bring more than three boxes of materials for donation, please contact us ahead of time so we can make arrangements. 

We still do not have the space to house donations, so the Friends will come to the library every other Friday to sort and haul them away to their storage facility for future book sales. 

If you have a large donation, we would appreciate it if you would drop off during the afternoon on either Oct. 13 or Oct. 27.

RONAN — Volunteers are needed for Coaches Day of Volunteers Unified Partners and Referees for Special Olympics Alex Braun Basketball Tournament on Oct. 13 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Call Lindsey Campbell at 406-304-4034 or email: LCampbell@somt.org for more information. 

BIGFORK — Flathead Lake State Park – Wayfarers Unit in Bigfork is holding its annual Fall Fest on Saturday, Oct. 14, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m. The event celebrates the arrival of fall with all the changes it brings to the park. The event will include food, warm beverages, games, crafts, prizes and fun for the whole family. 

There is no cost to attend the event and no reservation required.

POLSON — The Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition will sponsor a free film in their 7th Indigenous Film Series at the Showboat Stadium 6 in Polson at 1 p.m. on Oct. 14. 

“Daughter of a Lost Bird” is about Kendra, an adult Native adoptee, who reconnects with her birth family, discovers her Lummi heritage, and confronts issues of her own identity.

POLSON — Feeling lost in your faith? Free guidance every Sunday. Come join us on the hill at Polson Community Church at 10:30 a.m., 1814 First St. E. 

We also have “Seekers,” an adult Sunday School class, at 9:15 a.m.

 POLSON — The Good Shepherd Lutheran Church will hold its 53rd Annual Harvest Dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 17, for takeout only. Meal consists of Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes/gravy, green beans, coleslaw, a roll and pumpkin pie. Please call ahead at 406-883-5864 to place orders. Dinners may be picked up between 4-6 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 17. Dinner is $15 each. Homemade Lefse will be available for sale as well. It is the desire of Good Shepherd to continue keeping prices reasonable because this dinner is a mission/outreach of our community. Donations are always welcome. Dinner proceeds will benefit Lake County Search and Rescue and Polson’s Senior Center. 

POLSON — Good Shepherd Lutheran Church, 409 Fourth Ave. E, will hold their 53rd annual Harvest Dinner on Tuesday, Oct. 17, from 4-6 p.m. Take-out orders only for $15 per dinner. 

Dinners will include Swedish meatballs, mashed potatoes/gravy, coleslaw, green beans, rolls, and pumpkin pie. Homemade Lefse may be purchased at $5 for a package of four. 

Order ahead of time by calling or will be available for purchase at the door. Call 406-883-5864 to place your take-out order and or Lefse order. 

Everyone is welcome.

POLSON — On Wednesday, Oct. 18, from 12:30-1:30 p.m. the North Lake County Public Library’s TAG (Teen Advisory Group) will hold an event: Glow Crazy Paint by Number. Come paint with us. This event is for anyone interested in joining the library’s Teen Advisory Group. We will have some paint-by-number and some blank canvases - and we even have a bit of glow in the dark paint. If you have any questions, please call Felicia at: 406-883-8225 This program will be held at the library’s temporary location: 301 16th Ave. E (First United Methodist Church Building).

ZOOM — Mission Mountain Zen is offering free online meditation classes. Please join the Mission Mountain Zen Center on Wednesdays for an online meditation class led by Zen Teacher, Zenku. Classes include 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.

KALISPELL — Flathead Valley Community College’s Continuing Education Center is hosting free community lectures, and no registration is necessary. Lectures are held in the Arts & Technology building, room 139. A lecture on “The Rise of China: Unrestricted Warfare and Cyber Aggression” will be held on Thursday, Oct. 19, from 6:30-8 p.m. China’s rise was built substantially on economic empowerment through engagement with the United States. This process has also included aggressive cyber operations against the U.S. homeland. Discuss China’s rise through the lens of China’s “three strategies” (Belt & Road Initiative, Military Modernization, and “Made in China 2025”) and the counterstrategies employed by the U.S. and its allies to deter this threat of a revised world order with Chinese economic and military power at its center. For more information about FVCC’s Continuing Education fall class offerings, visit: fvcc.edu/ContinuingEducation.

POLSON — A Polson Climate Cafe get together will take place on Friday, Oct. 20, from 9-11 a.m. Polson Climate Cafe is an open, accepting space for people concerned about the climate crisis to discuss what they are experiencing, witnessing, and what they want to create. It is sponsored by the Flathead Lakers and 350 Montana. We will gather around coffee and snacks at the Good Coffee Roasting Company on 214 Main St. in Polson.

POLSON — The Flathead Reservation Human Rights Coalition will sponsor a free film in their 7th

Indigenous Film Series at the Showboat Stadium 6 in Polson at 1 p.m. on Oct. 21. “Bring Her Home” is about 

three Indigenous women who fight to vindicate and honor their missing and murdered relatives.

KALISPELL — From 7:30-8:30 p.m. at Lone Pine State Park Visitor Center listen to talks about decomposers and bats. Without decomposers like carrion birds, insects, and fungi, the world as we know it would look very different. There’s a lot to discover about these organisms that help us out, often without us even knowing it. Learn more about how decomposers do their jobs at this ranger talk.

With over 1,400 species of bats in the world, these critters have come up with some creative ways to thrive. Find out more about the one true flying mammal in this ranger talk. Please call 406-755-2706 ext. 0 to register, as space is limited. Cost is free ($8 park entry fee still applies to out-of-state vehicles).

RONAN — On Saturday, Oct. 21, from 9 a.m.-2 p.m., Mission Valley United Methodist Church on Post Creek Hill will hold a pre-holiday bazaar and craft fair. There will be baked goods, gift items, and crafts. Get your Christmas shopping done early. Call for a table today 406-745-4327.