Calendar

Wednesday, Dec. 15

Participate in day three of Mission 12 Days of Christmas

ST. IGNATIUS — Purchase a large single topping pizza, small cinnamon stick and breadstick for $20 and receive a raffle ticket for the 12 Days of Christmas contest.

Excel Essential Training Part II - Zoom Only

LAKE COUNTY – This Excel class will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 15, via Zoom from 9 a.m.3 p.m. There is no fee.

Training topics include accounting/budget. This is an intermediate class for students who have a basic knowledge of Excel.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to: work with lists, work with freeze panes and split panes, use the sort and auto filter functions, use the insert function command to create IF functions, use the automatic subtotals and grouping functions, create and work with charts. Call 406-676-5928 for more information and to reserve a seat.

Thursday, Dec. 16

Take a Deli break

ST. IGNATIUS — Receive a free pop or lemonade with a sandwich purchase on the fourth day of the Mission contest and receive a raffle ticket as well.

Evening glow

A red barn in Charlo is illuminated by evening sun on Dec. 5.

SUMMER GODDARD / VALLEY JOURNAL

Friday, Dec. 17

Join Ronan Parade of Lights

RONAN — The Ronan Parade of Lights will go down Main Street, through town, back on Round Butte Road, and then end at “Lights Under the Big Sky” at the fairgrounds on Friday, Dec. 17, at 6 p.m. Candy will only be handed out on Main Street. Please watch children closely as they race for candy.

If you would like to participate in the parade, please email: secretary@ ronanchamber.com for more information (no walking or biking entries beyond Main Street).

Join Nativity Open House

RONAN — On Friday, Dec. 17, from 5-8 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 35681 Terrace Lake Road, will hold a Nativity Open House featuring over 35 Nativities. There will be lots of music. At 7 p.m. Kathy Gillhouse will provide harp music followed by flute and piano music. This event will include children’s Christmas crafts and refreshments.

Day five of the 12 Days of Christmas happens at Gambles

ST. IGNATIUS — The 12 Days of Christmas takes a stop at Gambles where you can receive a raffle ticket with any purchase of 20 percent off gloves or 15 percent off flashlights.

Experience ‘Lights under the Big Sky’ Saturday, Dec. 18

RONAN — On Friday, Dec. 17 and Saturday, Dec. 18, “Lights Under the Big Sky” will provide fun and entertainment for residents of the Mission Valley at the Ronan Fairgrounds from 5-9 p.m. There will be holiday lights displays; family activities and Santa.

Hoop Shoot held

POLSON — Linderman gymnasium is the site for the Mission Valley Elks Lodge 1695 Hoop Shoot-Free Throw contest to be held on Saturday, Dec. 18, at noon. Registration and warm up start at 11:30 a.m. Boys and girls ages 8-13 (as of April 1, 2022) from Ronan, Polson and surrounding areas are invited. Categories include: 8-9 year old boys, 8-9 year old girls, 10-11 year old boys and 10-11 year old girls, 12-13 year old boys and 12-13 year old girls. There is no admission or participation charges. Winners of each age group advance to the District Contest on Jan. 15, 2022. Each contestant and their families will be served free chili and hotdogs. Contact David Rensvold at 406-250-0771 for more information.

Jerky-cheese purchase gets a raffle ticket

ST. IGNATIUS — Purchase Old Wisconsin Jerky Cheese Combo for $1.99 and receive a raffle ticket along with a chance to win a Collectible Tin at Cenex.

Join Nativity Open House

RONAN —On Saturday, Dec. 18, beginning at 5 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, at 35681 Terrace Lake Road, will hold a Nativity Open House including over 35 Nativites. This event will include children’s Christmas crafts and refreshments.

Judging for Mission lights

ST. IGNATIUS — Saturday, Dec. 18, is the date for judging the top three house decorations for St. Ignatius residents. Sign up at Valley Bank.

Enjoy final night for ‘Lights under the Big Sky’

RONAN — Saturday, Dec. 18, is the final night of “Lights Under the Big Sky.” There will be fun and entertainment at the Ronan Fairgrounds from 5-9 p.m. including: holiday lights displays; family activities and Santa.

Sunday, Dec. 19

Join Nativity Open House

RONAN — On Sun-

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day, Dec. 19, noon- 2 p.m. St. Paul Lutheran Church, 35681 Terrace Lake Road, will hold a Nativity Open House with over 35 Nativities. This event will include children’s Christmas crafts and refreshments.

Purchase candy at Allards

ST. IGNATIUS — A purchase of candy (with a 10 percent discount) will also gain you a raffle ticket for the 12 Days of Christmas contest.

Monday, Dec. 20

Receive a free gift

ST. IGNATIUS — On day eight of the 12 Days of Christmans Valley Bank is offering a free gift.

Kapi’ Shop gives tickets for latte purchase

ST. IGNATIUS — Purchase a single-flavor $2 latte and receive a 12 Days of Christmas raffle ticket.

Thursday, Dec. 23

End of 12 Days raffle approaches

ST. IGNATIUS — Napa is giving away a free pen light along with a raffle ticket when you make a purchase.

Friday, Dec. 24

Final day of 12 Days of Christmas raffle

ST. IGNATIUS — Receive a free hot chocolate and a raffle ticket at Old Timers Café.

Tuesday, Dec. 21

Again, jerky-cheese purchase gets a raffle ticket

ST. IGNATIUS — Purchase Old Wisconsin Jerky Cheese Combo for $1.99 and receive a raffle ticket along with a chance to win a Collectible Tin at Cenex.

Wednesday, Dec. 22

Flathead Irrigation District

RONAN — The Flathead Irrigation District’s monthly meeting will take place on Wednesday, Dec. 22, at 1 p.m. Please use the back door at Lake County Extension Office, 303 Third Ave. NW, Ronan.

Saturday, Dec. 25

Final day for early-bird basketball registration

FLATHEAD RESERVATION — Registration for the boys youth basketball 2022 season is open and closes on Jan. 4, 2022. Sponsored by the Boys and Girls Club, boys in the third through sixth grade are invited to participate. Practices and games will be held at different gymnasiums in Polson, Ronan, Arlee, Charlo and St. Ignatius. Practices begin on Jan. 4 and games start on Jan. 15. Early-bird registration is $25 until Dec. 25 after which registration is $30. Go to: flatheadbgcsports.com to register and for more information.

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COURTESY PHOTO Unity Bank in Polson is now located off of Ridgewater Drive in a “Banking Bungalow” while their new office, a sketch of which is featured on the side of the temporary building above, is being built.

Unity Bank is on the move in Polson

News from Terry Rosengarten Unity Bank

POLSON — Unity Bank is relocating down the road to 104 Ridgewater Drive in Polson. They will be operating out of a temporary structure on the property while they build their new office building. The old location will be open through 12 p.m. on Dec. 31.

They are happy to announce that they are ahead of schedule and will be opening the temporary location, or “Banking Bungalow,” on Mon. Dec. 20. On Mon. Jan. 3, they will only be operating in the “Banking Bungalow” at 104 Ridgewater Drive.

They have enjoyed partnering with Valley Banks during this transition and appreciate that they value the Polson community as much as Unity Bank does. They know having choices of who to trust with money is important and are very grateful for their customers during this exciting transition.

Tester, Daines demand halt of Brazilian fresh beef imports

News from the office of Senator Daines

U.S. SENATE — U.S. Senators Jon Tester and Steve Daines today joined a bipartisan effort to help support Montana ranchers by calling on the U.S. Department of Agriculture to immediately suspend fresh beef imports from Brazil.

“Cattle producers across the country work hard to produce the highest quality beef in the world,” the letter states. “This industry should not be jeopardized by Brazilian beef imports that may contaminate U.S. herds and our food supply. We support the requests to suspend Brazilian fresh beef imports until a thorough investigation can be made into Brazil’s Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, and Food Supply food safety review process.”

In 2017, Brazilian fresh beef imports were suspended due to food safety concerns, and USDA allowed these imports to resume in 2020. Daines is concerned with Brazil’s recent failure to quickly disclose two cases of atypical spongiform encephalopathy – a neurological disease of cattle – which could pose a significant threat to the health and safety of Montana cattle herds.

This bipartisan legislation would ensure that Brazilian beef is safe to eat before it is brought back into U.S. markets by imposing a moratorium on Brazilian beef until a group of food safety and trade experts has made a recommendation regarding its import status. The legislation is supported by the U.S. Cattlemen’s Association, the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, and R-CALF USA.

Dixon

By Heather Rush for the Valley Journal

DIXON — The Dixon Senior Center continues to serve our community and hopes everyone is staying happy and healthy. All are invited to come enjoy dinner and/or pinochle. Meals will be served Monday and Thursday evenings, at 5 p.m. Meals are $4 per serving and are deliverable to Dixon residents upon request. We are also accepting take-out meal requests for $5 per serving.

Menu for the week: — Thursday, Dec. 16: dinner – stew, fry-bread, salad, dessert — Monday Dinner, Dec. 20: Christmas dinner — Thursday Dinner, Dec. 23: dinner - tuna casserole, vegetables, rolls, dessert

Pinochle is hosted every fourth Monday of the month from 7-9 p.m. The next game is Monday, Dec. 27.

Feel welcome to place an order in advance, call 406-246-3310. All ages are always welcome.

Polson

By Pete Mangels for the Valley Journal

POLSON — The Polson Senior Center, located at 504 Third Ave. E, is open from 8 a.m.-3 p.m. weekdays. Lunch is available from 11:45 a.m.-12:30 p.m. weekdays. Memberships (age 50+) are available for $15 per year on a voluntary basis. Individuals and small groups are always welcome to lounge, work puzzles, read, play cards or board games, billiards, etc. Our activities are a great way to meet old friends and create new friendships. Call us with your questions at 406-883-4735, or email us at: polsonseniorcenter@ gmail.com.

Merry Christmas from the officers, board of directors and staff.

Polson High School Christmas will entertain us with caroling at the Polson Senior Center on Monday, Dec. 20, at 12:30 p.m. Join us for lunch first and music after.

The veterans’ representative will be available here on Tuesday, Dec. 21, between 10 a.m. and noon.

Activities: — Exercise for mobility: Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, 10:30–11:30 a.m. — Bridge: Tuesdays and Fridays - currently postponed -call the center or come in to place your name on the players list — Mahjong: Wednesdays at 12:30 p.m. (multiple tables) — Pinochle: Thursdays at 12:30 p.m. We had seven players last week. — Bingo: Fridays at 7 p.m. (helpers still needed)

Menu: — Wednesday, Dec. 15: meatloaf, baked potato, green beans, Watergate salad, cherry fruit crisp — Thursday, Dec. 16: egg rolls, rice chow mien, stir fry vegetables, apple coleslaw, mandarin oranges — Friday, Dec. 17: roast pork dinner for lunch - whipped potatoes, gravy, creamed peas, pretzel salad - birthday cake for everyone — Monday, Dec. 20: chilimac soup, corn muffin, corn and tomato salad, peaches — Tuesday, Dec. 21: chicken Alfredo, noodles, spiced apples, stir fried veggies, blueberry upside down cake — Wednesday, Dec. 22: enchiladas with beef, refried beans, Frito salad, angel food cake with sauce — Thursday, Dec. 23: corn dogs, tots, mixed veggies, three-bean salad, no-bake cookies — Friday, Dec. 24: hot turkey sandwich, raw carrots and celery, bag of chips, green salad, fruit bar

Entire

store is 20% OFF!

now through Dec. 18th

Great

selection of holiday gifts.

UPSCALE RE-SALE

Home Decor • Gifts Clothing • Jewelry • Made in Montana

305 Main Street, Polson (406) 319-2015

Meet. . . Soleil

This is Soleil. She is a very sweet thirteen week old kitten who lost her eye to an infection.

Pet of the week

contact Mission Valley Animal Shelter Call 883-5312

or visit our Facebook page!

Soleil

Sponsored by Wright Real Estate Co.

63228 US Hwy. 93 Ronan, MT (406) 676-8610 www.westernmontanaland.com

Ronan

By Auggie Peterson for the Valley Journal

RONAN — We at the Mission Valley Senior Center are busy little elves now days what with decorating the dining room, putting up the tree and planning that very special meal that Kim and Char are planning for Christmas. Our menu is as follows: — Wednesday, Dec. 15: Polish dogs, salad, dessert — Friday, Dec. 17: Christmas dinner - ham salad, dessert — Monday, Dec. 20: beef Stroganoff, salad, dessert — Wednesday, Dec. 22: chicken casserole, salad, dessert — On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 23, 24 and 25: closed — Monday, Dec. 27: potato soup, salads bread, dessert — Wednesday, Dec. 29: taco bar, dessert Have a safe and happy holiday. Merry Christmas.

see more seniors on page 24