Pumpkin’s splat at St. Ignatius Airport
EMILY MESSER | Hagadone News Network | UPDATED 5 months AGO
From the airplane a pumpkin is dropped down towards the 100 square grid next to the St. Ignatius Airport runway. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Tate and Luke Rollins paint their pumpkin during the Pumpkin Drop at the St. Ignatius Airport on Oct. 4. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Kaelyn Teeple and Maya Nace hold up their freshly painted pumpkins during the Pumpkin Drop event. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Emily Messer joined the Lake County Leader in July of 2025 after earning a B.A. degree in Journalism from the University of Montana. Emily grew up on a farm in the rolling hills of southeast Missouri and enjoys covering agriculture and conservation. She's lived in Montana since 2022 and honed her reporter craft with the UM J-School newspaper and internships with the RMEF Bugle Magazine and the Missoulian. At the Leader she covers the St. Ignatius Town Council, Polson City Commission and a variety of business, lifestyle and school news. Contact Emily Messer at [email protected] or 406.883.4343 | October 9, 2025 12:00 AM
By the side of the runway at the St. Ignatius Airport people gathered, waiting for a plane to fly low and throw a pumpkin to the ground. The game was to guess which of the 100 squares outlined on the airport grass the pumpkin would land on and buy a $10 chance on that square of squashed pumpkin. The winner took half of the pot, and the other half went to support Good Old Days fireworks.
The St. Ignatius Chamber of Commerce sponsored the 4th annual event, and they sold 400 spots on the board. After the pumpkin dropper made a couple of misses, four winners were declared. The event included cast iron skillet throwing, pumpkin painting, food and helicopter rides.
Stuart Morton, chamber member, explained the event had a number of sponsors from around the community and gathers momentum every year. Local pilot Tom Hanson opened his hanger up for the event and welcomed people to enjoy his old soda fountain.
The Brett Thoth Foundation also joined the event providing hundreds of free coats, helicopter rides and food. Thoth died in an airplane accident in 2014, and the foundation was started to support flying events and increase interest in aviation.
“It’s a great fall event, and it brings the people together in Mission,” Morton said.
Tate and Luke Rollins paint their pumpkin during the Pumpkin Drop at the St. Ignatius Airport on Oct. 4. (Emily Messer/Leader)
Kaelyn Teeple and Maya Nace hold up their freshly painted pumpkins during the Pumpkin Drop event. (Emily Messer/Leader)ARTICLES BY EMILY MESSER
Polson commissioners hear plan for reducing E. coli in Flathead Lake
Representatives from the Flathead Lakers and the Polson Bay Golf Course presented a plan to the Polson City Commission last Wednesday to reduce stormwater runoff, which had caused increased levels of E. coli in Flathead Lake near Boettcher Park.
City Commission finalizes Salt Cafe grant, hears from market vendors
The Polson City Commission council chambers were full of support Monday night for Andrew Perkins, owner of Salt Cafe, who has been awaiting funding from the Tax Increment Finance District grant he received nearly three years ago.
Foundation established for Polson Police
A non-profit called the Polson Police Foundation was launched at the end of 2025 to support the department by contributing to training, officer wellness, critical equipment and community initiatives.