The Blaine County Journal News-Opinion - We've Got The County Covered

There are a number of events scheduled around the county to celebrate the holiday season. In an effort to give readers some 'heads up,' here's a list of upcoming happenings we know about and received information regarding details. The list includes general events open to the public. In most cases there is basic information with a contact for more details. Have a great holiday season...and mark your calendars so you don't miss something that interests you.

Wednesday, November 22. Chinook. The Angel Christmas Tree (a program that anonymously provides holiday gifts to needy children and provides food baskets to their families) will be in Finley's Food Farm today. You may take a tag from the tree and buy a gift for a child using the tag information. Gifts to fill the Angel Tree requests will need to be at the First Bank of Montana by Thursday, December 7 for wrapping and distribution. You may make requests for children's gifts or family food baskets by obtaining a request form at 357-3545 or 357-2969. Financial donations to support the Angel Tree program can be made through Jude Sheppard at the Blaine County Museum.

Thursday, November 23 (Thanksgiving). Chinook. The Community Thanksgiving Dinner will be held at the Chinook Senior Center from noon-2pm. Dinner is turkey and all the trimmings. There is no charge and all are welcome. The Senior Center is taking delivery requests (357-2648) before the dinner or call by mid-morning the day of the dinner. To volunteer or provide homemade pies (no cream pies, please) call Jay Eslick at 357-3211 or Betty Billmayer, 357-4100.

Friday, November 24. Chinook. Chinook Chamber's 7th Festival of Trees and 32nd Annual Parade of Lights and Christmas Stroll. There will be events all day beginning with the Festival of Trees items displayed at the First Bank of Montana Lobby (trees and other items will be displayed beginning November 13). Vendors will be on Main Street (Indiana Street) from 1-6pm, the Ecumenical Echoes Bell Choir will perform 2-4pm in the bank lobby, both museums will be open and there will be pictures with Santa from 3-5pm at Wallner Hall. The Festival of Trees will include silent auction items until 4pm , in the bank lobby, and a live auction of the trees at the Eagles club following the parade.

The Parade of Lights will begin at 6pm and come north, then south on Main Street downtown. The live auction and a Taco Feed will be held after the parade at the Eagles. Other events will be going on throughout the afternoon until the parade begins. See the chamber of commerce's website for a complete schedule. Go to chinookmontana.com and select 'events' from the menu.

JUMP will be selling additional holiday pies from their pie sale that concluded just before Thanksgiving.

Tuesday, November 28. Chinook. The Blaine County Library will host its Hassle Free Christmas program at 7pm at the library. Demonstrations of for holiday ideas will be presented by several 4-H members and samples of hassle free refreshments will be served after the program.

Thursday, November 30. Harlem. Sharon VanVoast, from Turner, will do a "holiday how to" presentation at 6pm as part of the library's annual Creative Christmas programming. Refreshments will be served.

Friday, December 1. Aaniiih Nakoda College, Fort Belknap. A Holiday Bazaar will be held from 9am to 2pm at the EKIB-TSAH-AH-TSIK Cultural Center on campus. There will be vendors with a variety of gift items to sell and food items will be available. Bazaar proceeds will help support the White Clay Immersion School. To reserve a vendor table call 353-2607 and ask for Wozek Chandler.

Saturday, December 2. Harlem. The St. Thomas Catholic Church will hold its annual bazaar and bake sale from 10am to 2pm at New Horizons on the northeast edge of Harlem. There will be baked items for sale to take home and by the serving at the bazaar...pies are the specialty. Lunch will be available. Vendors will be selling holiday gift items. Call 353-2874 for more information.

See Page A8: Holiday Schedule

Sunday, December 3. Chinook. The United Methodist Church will host a luncheon and bake sale with a cookie stroll. Lunch will be Swiss steak complete with desserts by the serving. Event is from 11:30am to 2pm in Wallner Hall. For lunch delivery, call 357-2778.

Sunday, December 3. Turner. A Women's and Girls' Christmas Tea will be hosted at Turner American Lutheran Church. Theme of the event is "Princesses of the King." Tea begins at 2pm and all are welcome.

Wednesday, December 6. Harlem. Harlem Library will host its Wine and Cheese Festival, 6-8pm at the library. There will be donated items, including wine and art, for auction. Door prizes and refreshments are included in the ticket price. Pre-event tickets on sale at library and other locations in Harlem.

Saturday, December 9. Chinook. Sweet Memorial Nursing Home will host a bazaar and beef stew luncheon. There will be a large number of vendors with a variety of gift items for sale. Event runs 10am-3pm. Call Jeanne Buffington, 357-2549, for more information or to reserve a vendor's table.

Sunday, December 10. Harlem. The Harlem Civic Association will hold its annual Country Christmas from 3-7pm at the VFW club at 530 Central Avenue West. Guests will judge the chili cook-off with purchase of each bowl of chili prepared by contestants. Vendors will be selling holiday gift items, pictures with Santa (for a charge) will be available from 3-5pm and the ladies of St. Thomas Catholic Church will have a Christmas angel display. Chili cook-off entries are available at Albertsons from Helen Schroeder or at City Hall from Becky. Call Kayla Hudon for a chili cook-off entry form or for more details about the cook-off at 353-4620.

Sunday, December 10. Chinook. Edwards Funeral Home will hold a remembrance service at 6pm at the funeral home on Indiana Street. The memory of those who died in 2017 will be honored. The service is open to all and refreshments will be served after the service.

Sunday, December 17. Chinook. The Chinook Ministerial Alliance will host its annual Community Christmas Service at 3:30pm at the Chinook High School auditorium. The event will include Christmas Carols, special Christmas music, a brief Christmas message and an offering to support the community ministries of the Chinook Ministerial Association. The event is non-denominational and all are welcome.

Sunday, December 17. Harlem. VFW Post 4744 will hold a Christmas party for veterans and their guests at the VFW club. Social hour begins at 5pm with a potluck dinner at 6pm. Cards and games will follow.

Well, gentle readers, that's some of what lies ahead for the holidays that I knew about at this point in time. If you have an event that is of a general nature and would like to have it mentioned in future stories, send the info to bcjnews@itstriangle.com. We'll try to include it in future stories about holiday events.