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Time Capsule: From the archives of local weeklies

BERL TISKUS | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 1 year, 1 month AGO
by BERL TISKUS
Reporter Berl Tiskus joined the Lake County Leader team in early March 2023, and covers Ronan City Council, schools, ag and business. Berl grew up on a ranch in Wyoming and earned a degree in English education from MSU-Billings and a degree in elementary education from the University of Montana. Since moving to Polson three decades ago, she’s worked as a substitute teacher, a reporter for the Valley Journal and a secretary for Lake County Extension. Contact her at [email protected] or 406-883-4343. | December 18, 2024 11:00 PM

Flathead Courier, Dec. 26, 1974

Initial meeting planned for Sons of Norway Lodge

Polson’s recently organized Sons of Norway Lodge will launch meetings with a social session, scheduled for Saturday, Dec. 28, at 7 p.m. in the Elks Hall.

Following business, a “Happy Hour” is scheduled which will feature Scandinavian cookies and coffee and other holiday traditional goodies. An entertaining program is planned.

A name for the new lodge will be selected at this initial meeting.

Suggestions made to date include Sol Bakken (Sunny Slope), Nordmann’s Vis ( Northman’s Wish), Klar Evann (Clean Water), and Sjell Haven (Mountain Garden).

A suggestion box will be at the door on Saturday night for any other names members wish to be considered, or they may give them to one of the officers.

Break-ins in county

Two Ronan businesses and one St. Ignatius residence were the target of burglars last Thursday night.

Investigated by Lake County officers, burglaries were discovered in both the Husky Service Station and the John Deere Davis Farmer’s Supply Company in Ronan. A small amount of money was taken in both places.

Darlene LaChance and two juveniles were arrested by tribal police following the Thursday night burglary of household goods at the Lloyd Hilton residence in St. Ignatius.

The juveniles were turned over to juvenile court, and the other suspect was arraigned Friday in Justice Court.

Twenty-Five Years Ago

• A deluge of mail hit the Polson post office with 500 sacks of mail filling the building at one period. Handling the huge volume were Postmaster Roy Cramer, Chet Elkins, Chris Brown, Howard Jones, Del Horner, Howard Jones, B. Putnam, Marguerite Sand, and Florence Robinson.

• A buffalo was shipped to Los Angeles to be auctioned with the proceeds to be returned to the Lake County March of Dimes.

ARTICLES BY BERL TISKUS

Upgrades continue at Ronan Community Center
January 21, 2026 11 p.m.

Upgrades continue at Ronan Community Center

The Community Center in Ronan was dedicated in 1969, after untold months of work by the local Jaycees and Jayceens. “It’s been a very long time since it had an upgrade, just because there’s no money,” said Sjaan Vincent, Ronan fairgrounds manager.

City of Ronan welcomes Mark Nelson to council
January 21, 2026 11 p.m.

City of Ronan welcomes Mark Nelson to council

Ronan City Council’s meeting on Jan. 14 began with a welcome for a new council member and new police officer, plus new office worker Gwen Zolder.

Winterfest draws crowd but no snow
January 14, 2026 11 p.m.

Winterfest draws crowd but no snow

It was about 40 degrees with not a tablespoon of snow on the ground at the Miracle of America Museum in Polson on Jan. 10. Despite the balmy temperature, people gathered for the annual Winterfest, and examined the fleet of vintage snowmobiles on the museum’s front lawn.