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Polson parade of lights, festivities planned for Dec. 3

News from the Polson Business Community

POLSON — The Polson Business Community invites the community members to head downtown on Friday, Dec. 3 for the 2021 Parade of Lights. Floats will line up behind Cherry Valley Elementary School by 5 p.m. with the parade starting at 6 p.m. The parade route will be the same as years past. There is a $20 entry fee per float - which includes one truck and trailer. Each additional vehicle is $5. Parade entries will be accepted until Friday, Nov. 26. Those entering floats are encouraged to “put as many lights as possible on your entries and help light up our little town.” Trophies and prizes (PBC bucks to spend in the community) will be awarded for Best of Parade, Best Light Display, Most Creative, and Most Humorous.

Participating PBC businesses will be open until 7 p.m. for holiday shopping after the Parade of the Lights. Food vendors and hot chocolate will be offered. Santa himself is also due to make an appearance.

Polson residents are reminded that all vehicles must be off Main Street by 3 p.m. on Dec. 3.

To submit a parade entry, email polsonbusinesscommunity@gmail.com or call 406-319-2229.

ROB ZOLMAN / VALLEY JOURNAL Santa waves from atop his sleigh in Polson’s 2019 Parade of Lights. The parade was canceled last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Christmas carnival planned in St. Ignatius

News from St. Ignatius Tribal Health

ST. IGNATIUS — The town of St. Ignatius is excited to announce a Christmas Carnival will be held on Dec. 4 at the St. Ignatius Elementary School at 1 p.m. Santa and the Grinch will be there and Santa will be handing out prizes to the kids this year. We have over 10 booths set for games as well as face painting, a cake walk, cookie decorating, and we will have a raffle as well. At 5:30 we will have our tree lighting and caroling and a parade of lights at the town tree. We will raffle off three more prizes and have chili and hot chocolate for people. The 12 days of Christmas event begins on Dec. 13 and continues through Dec. 24 here in St. Ignatius. During this event people go to select businesses listed on the 12 days of Christmas promotion and they will receive a ticket they put in a box. The box travels from business to business every day and on the Dec. 24 we will raffle off six prizes, including a TV. We also have town decorating contests as well as a business decorating contest with some great prizes. There will also be a parade of light contest as well. This will be our biggest event yet, and should bring some holiday cheer to a lot of kids and people, which we need after the year we have had.

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‘Shop Hop’ planned in Ronan

News from the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce

RONAN — From Nov. 5 to Dec. 16, the Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a “Shop Hop.” You can pick up a punch card at the first business you stop at. You are encouraged to browse at each business but no purchase is necessary. Take your punch card to each of the participating businesses and get a stamp/punch on your card. When your card is complete, drop it off at one of the following businesses: Bev’s Bloomers, Harvest Foods, Westland See, True Value, Valley Bank or Glacier Bank are the businesses participating. A drawing will be held on Dec. 17 after the Parade of Lights.

Flautists entertain, make plan to perform again

News from JourneyBe

POLSON — The Flathead Flute Choir entertained a group of sonorous music lovers on Nov. 18 at JourneyBe Church in Polson. A wide selection of popular, ethnic, classical, and showbiz short pieces offered every ear something to enjoy. An intermission between sets provided coffee, pastries, and a chance to visit. Flautists Melanie Martin-Bent, Michael Kranarczyk, Betty Lu Fletcher, and Kate Sheridan are planning to provide an ensemble of Christmas music during the holiday season at JourneyBe. Details of the event will be published soon.

‘Shop small’ Saturday and all season long

By M.S. Sacry for the Valley Journal

With the U.S. supply chain facing unprecedented backlogs this holiday season, shoppers have been warned that major suppliers of holidays gifts may have bare shelves this year. But one industry’s bust can always lead to another’s boom. Local retailers peddling Montana made goods are optimistic about this year’s shopping season, which kicks off with Small Business Saturday this weekend.

Wendi Arnold of Flathead Lake Cheese said that food can be a great gift to give.

“The pandemic has kept us busy sending out care packages (specials found on our website) so I think the move towards food really started last year,” Arnold said. “There is a true comfort in the gift of food. Such love in wanting to nourish another and, I have to admit, I love a gift I don’t have to dust.”

Flathead Lake Cheese has been open 10 years. While the business specializes in artisanal cheese, shoppers will also find other local-made gifts available when they shop for cheese.

“For the past few years, we have included a variety of options that can be added to our gift boxes from other local food producers such as Good Coffee Roasting Company, Fat Robin Orchard, Montana Buffalo Gals, Montana Marbled Meats and, new this year, we’re including sea salt caramels from Chocolate Eclipse,” Arnold said. “I like the idea of supporting other businesses in our small way and giving our customers more of a local Montana experience. It’s known as ‘The Big Cheese’ and you have to call me to see what’s available.”

Arnold recommends ordering early as orders have already started to come in.

“I have a feeling there are going to be some slow deliveries in the last weeks of the year so don’t put it off, get your ordering and mailing done early,” she said.

Arnold offered a good reason to shop small businesses this season.

“Small businesses offer not only unique gift opportunities but keep the community vibrant, Arnold said. “All summer long, at our walk-up window, I am happily directing tourist traffic to our many diverse attractions.”

In Ronan, another small business is banking on customers purchasing something they can’t find on box store shelves: an experience.

“One of the biggest shifts people are seeing with all the different forms of commerce and with changing ideas about materialism is an emphasis on the experience being part of the product,” Ronan Cooperative Brewery Head Brewer Jim Myers said. “Certainly going out to eat and having drinks while enjoying each other’s company is a part of that shift. Sometimes it’s nice to go shopping and bring something home but we’re also seeing where a lot of people are just as happy to get home and reflect on how they chose to spend their time and look forward to re-creating the experience. For those shopping for gifts, we offer both. We have merchandise like shirts, hats and other brewery related items as well as gift certificates and co-op memberships, that don’t take up as much space.”

The brewery opened as the state’s first cooperatively owned establishment in October 2020, and took on its first year in a time when many breweries and eateries went bankrupt around the country.

“Ronan has a strong contingency of “local first” minded citizens who are loyal to their community’s businesses,” Myers said. “Without that, the brewery project wouldn’t have made it this far. Shopping local is so important to us because there are lots of great products made in lots of different places, by why not have them made here, by us? When businesses can offer wages that support families, communities are supported and gain the leverage they need to grow and thrive on a lot of levels.”

The brewery offers more than just beer. While they’re still working out their holiday specialties, they’ve gotten creative to make the brewery a hub of creativity and opportunity to gather and enjoy good company.

“Through the winter the first Sunday of the month is our Paint and Sip where we put together a painting experience for $10 and customers get to take home an image they’ve created stroke by stroke while enjoying a beer or kombucha or root beer,” Myers said. “On Tuesdays we have trivia and Ronan High School’s vocational program sells delicious tacos. On Fridays we typically have some sort of food like pizza or bratwursts. Last summer the Western Montana Musician’s Coop started hosting music nights for some of their artists who’ve put together longer sets of music. The nights for that have shifted some due to scheduling issues, so check us out on social media for more information and announcements with that, but live music is tough to beat.”

For folks hoping to find more than one Montana artisan specialty, the

see page 16

from page 15

HandMADE Montana store in Polson is a great stop. “Money spent locally stays local,” said owner Carol Lynn Lapotka. “It supports and brings a community together and is often what makes small towns so great. Our retail shop is an extension of the four large art events we organize in Bozeman, Helena, and Missoula. Customers get to connect with makers and artisans and hear their story.”

This year’s Missoula Holiday MADE fair is set for Dec. 12 at the Adams Center in Missoula.

“Our Missoula event showcases over 200 talented and curated artists, Lapotka said. “In our 14th year, I am still blown away by the talent and enjoy connecting with everyone throughout the event.”

Lapotka’s store in downtown Polson is one of many that will be participating in Small Business Saturday on Nov. 27.

“Shop Small Saturday has been a tradition for many local businesses and we are all working together to bring more people to downtown Polson,” Lapotka said. “Our shop is offering complimentary gift wrapping with purchases over $50 and a coupon good off your next purchase.”

Lapotka weighed in on what this year’s shopping trends seem to be.

“I think people are turning to gift items that are unique and functional,” Lapotka said. “No one really needs random stuff, but we all want to feel connected to others and receive a thoughtful gift that is memorable. Something that can be worn, and you smile when you think of the person that gave it to you. A piece of art that brings you joy. A mug that soon becomes part of your morning ritual.”

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Wednesday, Nov. 24

Library to close early

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library will be closing at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Nov.24, and will be closed for Thanksgiving on Thursday, Nov. 25. We will be open on Friday, Nov. 26, from 9 a.m.-6: p.m. and Saturday, Nov. 27, from 9 a.m.-4 p.m.

Thursday, Nov. 25

Thanksgiving Call for Polson’s annual Thanksgiving dinner

POLSON — This year’s Thanksgiving dinner will be prepared at the Mission Valley Elks’ Lodge at 512 Main Street in Polson. Delivery or curbside pickup will be available by reservation. The number to call for your 2021 Thanksgiving meal order is: 406-471-7076. Please call and make reservations for a meal as early as possible, so that we make certain that anyone who would enjoy a meal receives one. We anticipate an increase from last year, so please help us by calling early.

We will be open for pickup and delivery from 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Thanksgiving day, Thursday, Nov. 25.

As always, there is no charge for our “from scratch” made dinner, but we gratefully accept donations.

Any questions, comments and reservations can be made at 406-471-7076.

Ronan holds Community Thanksgiving Feast

RONAN — Join your friends and neighbors for a free community feast at the Ronan Community Center on Nov. 25, from 11 a.m.-1:30 p.m. For more information contact Rita Ulutoa at 406-871-1648.

Food Pantry closes for Thanksgiving weekend

ST. IGNATIUS — The Mission Valley Food Pantry will be closed Friday, Nov. 26, and Saturday, Nov. 27, so our volunteers can enjoy Thanksgiving with their families.

Friday, Nov. 26

Light decorating contest held in Ronan

RONAN — The Ronan Chamber of Commerce is holding a light decorating competition. You may submit photos of your home, office, business or any other light display. For more information contact the Ronan Chamber of Commerce at 406-676-8300.

Library gift shop offers discount

POLSON — The North Lake County Public Library’s gift shop will be open from 9 a.m.-6 p.m. on Black Friday. Looking for the perfect gift for the book lover in your life? We will be having a 20 percent off sale in our gift nook from Nov. 26-Dec. 22. Check out the cabinet of goodies in our lobby. Tote bags, stationary, pins, hats, mugs and more are available.

Saturday, Nov. 27

Arlee Parade to celebrate family, giving and love

ARLEE — The Arlee Parade of Lights will take place on Saturday, Nov. 27. This event will resemble a trick or trunk event. Bring your floats to the high school at 5:30 p.m. The event will begin at 6 p.m. Let’s be safe; wear masks and remember social distancing is encouraged. Let’s celebrate family, giving and love this year.

see extended calendar at www.valleyjournal.net

Shopping, caroling, Santa on board for Small Business Saturday

POLSON — Small Business Saturday is scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 27. Small business Saturday is teaming up with the Polson Business Community to bring back the Polson Tree Lighting Celebration on Small Business Saturday. Our current plans have caroling starting around 5:30 p.m. at the Lake County Courthouse, followed by the official tree lighting with Santa and Mrs. Claus at 6 p.m.

Saturday, Dec. 4

Annual Christmas Carnival held in Mission

ST. IGNATIUS — The town of St. Ignatius will hold their annual Christmas Carnival in St. Ignatius on Saturday, Dec. 4, beginning at 1 p.m. At 5:30 p.m. that same evening there will be a town tree lighting, a parade of lights and caroling. Chili, coffee and hot chocolate will be served and a small raffle will be held.

Thursday, Dec. 2

Join Ronan Chamber for lunch

NINEPIPES — The Ronan Area Chamber of Commerce will hold a luncheon on Thursday, Dec. 2, at noon at Ninepipes Lodge. Area residents are invited. Lunch is $14. This is a chance to eat, meet and glean some useful business tips from presenter Bret Richardson of Stonefly Financial. He will be presenting on employee benefits.

Friday, Dec. 3

Parade of Lights in Polson scheduled

POLSON — The 2021 Parade of Lights brought to you by the Polson Business Community is set to happen on Friday, Dec. 3, at 6 p.m. All floats need to be lined up and ready to go behind Cherry Valley Elementary School by 5 p.m. Trophies and prizes (PBC bucks to spend in our community) will be awarded for Best of Parade, Best Light Display, Most Creative, and Most Humorous. (See page 14 for more information.)

Tuesday, Dec. 7

Website, Social Media Analytics seminar offered

This seminar will take place on Tuesday, Dec. 7, from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. via Zoom and there is no fee.

Training topics include managing a business, marketing/ sales and social media.

Description: Are you confused about all the on-line world of jargon for your website? These might be terms such as: SEO, KPI’s, PPC, and Social Media Engagement, Likes, etc. In this workshop participants will get a brief introduction to the world of on-line business and marketing. You will gain a basic understanding of why they are important and, more importantly, discover what is not) to the average small business website owner.

Call 406-676-5928 at Lake County Community Development Corporation for more information and/or make a reservation.