Farmers markets

Farmers markets offer fresh, local bounty

Farmers markets offer a plethora of locally sourced items and the chance for people to socialize at an outdoor event. Those interested in visiting a farmers market, have several choices in Lake County.

The Polson Farmers Market is held in downtown Polson on 3rd Avenue West near Flathead Lake every Friday from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. This market is said to be one of Montana’s oldest running markets. Vendors offer bread, vegetables, cheese, flowers, and more.

The Ronan Farmers Market is a newer hub for handmade items and locally grown vegetables. It’s open every Thursday from 4 to 7 p.m. behind the Ronan Visitors Center on U.S. Highway 93.

The Mission Falls Market is the newest market in the valley and is open every Friday from 5 to 7 p.m. at the Good Old Days park, which is across from the gas station in town.

Many handmade items are available at all the markets. Jewelry of all types and sizes can be found on tables set up by local vendors. After looking at the non-edible items, visitors can start in on the goodies, including homemade pies, breads, scones and handcrafted cheeses.

Want homegrown without growing yourself? Then head to the farmers markets where supporting local farmers will make you feel good and support the local economy.

Polson Farmers Market: Friday from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. until October

Mission Falls Market: Friday from 5-7 p.m. until Sept. 24

Ronan Farmers Market: Thursday 4 -7 p.m. until Oct. 14

Story by Beau Biggs for the Valley Journal, photos by Beau Biggs, Karen Greene and Nicole Tavenner

Northwestern Montana’s vast wild spaces draw both residents and visitors alike for summer adventure. Keep outdoor recreation fun by keeping it safe.

Wildlife encounters

Be sure to bring bear spray when recreating in bear country - it’s better to have it and not need it than to need it and not have it. Bear spray is a safe and effective way to deter bears in an encounter. According to Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks, bear spray is a more effective deterrent than a firearm. Studies of human-bear encounters have shown that those who use firearms suffer injuries about 50 percent of the time. People defending themselves with pepper spray escape injury most of the time, and those who were injured experienced a shorter attack duration and less severe injuries.

The U.S. Wildlife Service encourages people exploring wild spaces to be aware of their surroundings and the animals that may be present in an area. The service also reminds people that they should never feed wild animals, not even squirrels or chipmunks. “Keep them wild and don’t risk attracting predators.”

Overnight adventures

When camping overnight, bring plenty of water. Staying hydrated in the backcountry is extremely important.

Also, all food should be kept outside of sleeping quarters. Montana FWP states that people need to “keep food and anything with scent out of tents” to avoid bear encounters.

Remember to bring a first aid kit, as it can make a bad situation survivable.

Trail safety

Staying safe when hiking trails takes a bit of preparation. The first tip is simple but will keep you comfortable: wear appropriate attire and in particular comfortable shoes to avoid getting blisters.

Stay on the trail. Typically, staying on recognized trails provides the safest route as well as helps preserve the habitat we’re seeking to enjoy.

Know the trail and landscape so you don’t get yourself lost or in a location you can’t get out of.

FWP recommends packing emergency signaling devices and knowing the location of the nearest ranger station or park office in case of an emergency.

Hike with others because there’s safety in numbers.

Adventure pets

When bringing four-legged friends, pack extra water for them as well as a way to give it to them. FWP states that people should keep an eye on their furry friend’s feet: “Watch for injuries to your dog’s footpads in rocky areas, on ice or in extremely hot terrain.”

Keep pets in sight. Dogs especially like running after scents, and could run into bears or other dangerous wildlife.

Be sure to have all of the necessary permits and licenses for the area you’ll be recreating in. Visit FWP. org for further safety tips and regulation information for your outdoor destination. Enjoy your summer adventures!

By Beau Biggs for the Valley Journal

Hand poured candles plants & Decor

222 Main St. STE A Polson, MT 59860

www.beargrasscandles.com

Coffee • Gifts Candy • Clothing Montana Books

7 3rd Ave E • Polson 883-3667

Stop On By...

Cold Beer • Snacks • Ice Fishing Tackle and Bait

49433 US HWY 93 • Polson, MT 406-883-5768

Authentic Mexican Food

• Daily lunch specials • Children’s menu • Combinations • Full bar • Seafood • American food • Specialties • To go orders

Kids’ room with arcade. Special appetizers every day.

(On lounge side) Outside dining and great views.

Open 7 days a week, 11 a.m. - 9 p.m. 110 Main St. #10, Polson • 883-5854 • www.fiestaenjalisco.net

MONTANA — Montanans look to enjoy the outdoors this spring and summer, state and local public health officials urge everyone to follow a few simple steps to prevent tick bites and related illnesses: Limit exposure to ticks, use insect repellent, and inspect yourself, gear, and pets for ticks.

Each year thousands of people in the U.S. are bitten by ticks and become infected with a tick-borne illness.

DPHHS communicable disease epidemiologist Erika Baldry emphasizes the best way to avoid tick-borne illnesses is to prevent tick bites. “There’s numerous prevention measures Montanans can take to avoid tick bites while still enjoying the abundance of outdoor opportunities available in the state,” Baldry said.

Commonly reported tick-borne diseases in Montana include, Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Lyme disease, tickborne relapsing fever, tularemia, and Colorado tick fever virus.

In recent years, cases of Rocky Mountain spotted fever, tularemia, and CTFV have increased in Montana. Typically, the most common tickborne illness acquired in Montana is Rocky Mountain spotted fever, with a tenyear average of eight cases reported each year. However, in 2020, Montana had 17 cases of CTFV reported, which was an increase from the average of one to two cases per year.

To avoid tick-borne illness, public health officials recommend: — Avoid areas with high grass and leaf litter and walk in the center of trails when hiking. — Use EPA-registered insect repellent.

— Treat clothing and gear with products containing 0.5% permethrin. Permethrin can be used to treat boots, clothing and camping gear and remain protective through several washings. Alternatively, you can buy permethrintreated clothing and gear. — Bathe or shower as soon as possible after coming indoors can help you find and wash off crawling ticks before they bite you. Paying close

attention to areas where ticks like hide, under the arms, in and around the ears, inside the belly button, back of the knees, in and around the hair, between the legs, and around the waist is important. — After leaving the outdoors, check your clothing, gear and pets for ticks. — Put dry clothes in a dryer on high heat for 10 minutes to kill ticks after you come indoors. If the clothes are damp, dry thoroughly and then tumble dry on high for 10 more minutes.

Common symptoms of tick-borne infections include fever and chills, aches and pains, rash, and fever of varying degrees. “Although most are easily treated with antibiotics, many present with general flu-like symptoms so it’s important to communicate exposure risk to your provider,” Baldry stresses “Early recognition and treatment of the infection decreases the risk of serious complications.”

Individuals should see their healthcare provider immediately if they have been bitten by a tick and experience symptoms. If a tick is found and is attached, follow these steps to safely remove the tick. — Use fine-tipped, “pointy” tweezers to grasp the tick as close to the skin’s surface as possible. — Pull upward with steady, even pressure. Don’t twist or jerk the tick; this can cause the mouth parts to break off and remain in the skin. If this happens, remove the mouth parts with tweezers. If you are unable to remove the mouth easily with clean tweezers, leave it alone and let the skin heal. — After removing the tick, thoroughly clean the bite area and your hands with rubbing alcohol, an iodine scrub, or soap and water. — Do no use folklore remedies such as “painting” the tick with nail polish or petroleum jelly or using heat to make the tick detach from the skin. These methods are not recommended and may cause the tick to burrow deeper into the skin.

For more information about tick-borne illnesses, protection and detection efforts, visit the DPHHS website at: http://www.dphhs.mt.gov.