Hello Harlem

Hello Harlem! It’s going to be a cold Thanksgiving in Harlem this year – a blustery wind blowing and possibly some of the white stuff covering the ground. Nevertheless, I am sure it will be very warm in our homes as families and friends gather to give thanks and enjoy some great food and fellowship. I am usually pretty busy on Thanksgiving morning – getting the big meal ready and doing some housecleaning before the guests arrive for dinner (thank God for football afterwards). However, I always take a few moments in-between to think about the people and things I am very grateful for. I hope you find a few moments on your Thanksgiving Day to do the same. I wish everyone a very warm and meaningful Thanksgiving spent with family and friends.

Some upcoming meetings to attend: Harlem City Council on Monday, December 9 at 6:00 pm at City Hall and a joint meeting of Harlem Civic Association and Harlem Heart & Soul Revitalization Group on Monday, January 20 at 6:00 pm at City Hall.

Speaking of meetings, I attended the Harlem Civic Association meeting on Monday, November 18. It was the regular meeting of the Civic Association and the Harlem Heart and Soul Revitalization Group joined them. You could definitely feel the positive energy in the room when more people come together who share a similar goal – to make Harlem a better place. There are many good ideas slowly making their way to the front burner between these two groups who want to work together. Some of these ideas will be happening in 2025 – very exciting to see a transformation taking shape! I strongly encourage everyone who wants Harlem to be a better place to attend the next meeting in January. You are never obligated to anything – just come and share – see what you can offer and be part of something that will help make Harlem a great place to live.

Harlem High School Parent-Teacher Conferences for second quarter will take place at the high school gym on Tuesday, December 3 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. All parents and guardians are encouraged to attend. A meal will be provided and there will be door prizes throughout the evening.

The Wine & Cheese Fundraiser, “Karolee’s Kandy Kane Kristmas,” will be held at the Harlem Public Library on Wednesday, December 4 from 6:00 pm to 8:00 pm. Tickets are now available, so get yours today! Cost is $10.00 in advance or $15.00 at the door. The friends of the Library are still seeking donations of silent and live auction items, food items and wine donations. Please get in touch with Louise Nissen, event coordinator, or Colleen Brommer, library director to donate or to purchase tickets.

The White Clay Immersion School is sponsoring their Annual Bazaar on Friday, December 6 from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. The event takes place at the Aaniiih Nakoda College Cultural Center and features a breakfast burrito sale, many craft and gift vendors and an Indian burger sale. To reserve a table, call 406-353-2607 or email wschandler@ancollege.edu. Everyone is welcome to attend.

The Annual Christmas Family Fun Night will be held at Harlem High School on Tuesday, December 17 from 4:30 pm to 7:30 pm. There will be many different holiday crafts for the kids, a free homemade meal, bingo and photos with Santa. Everyone is welcome!

The Harlem Elementary School Christmas Concert will take place on Wednesday, December 18 at 12:30 in the little gym at Harlem High School. All are welcome to attend.

Parting Words: I have said it before, and I will say it again…downtown Harlem will be the place to be on Thursday, December 12 between 4:00 pm and 8:00 pm. It’s the new Christmas Stroll – the “Harlem Christmas Jubilee.” We will have a finalized roster of events and locations next week, but for now, here is the tentative line-up: Little Rocky Apartments (formerly the senior center/apartments) will feature many craft and gift vendors for all of your Christmas shopping needs and Ron Donceras will be playing all your favorite Christmas hits. (*If you are interested in being a vendor, please call Connie Zanto at 406-301-1157 – do not wait, space is limited). The Harlem Library will feature a warming station with seating and Mr. & Mrs. Claus for pictures with the kids. The Domestic Engineers Club will also be having a bake sale at the library – sweet treats and goodies to eat there or take home, as well as hot chocolate and hot cider. The Presbyterian/Methodist Church will be the main food hall: fry bread from the Presbyterian/Methodist Church, soup from the St. Thomas Church Altar Society, lefse from the Lutheran Church, popcorn balls from the Harlem Fire Department, desserts and beverages from the Harlem Rodeo Club. The Harlem firetruck will be outside and decorated for Christmas as well! Kennedy’s Bar will have all of your favorite beverages and will be hosting a kickoff adult “sip and paint” event with art teacher Mary Kate French (either at 4:00 pm or 6:00 pm – time TBA). The Corner Hub, under Owens/Lawrence management, will be open and serving some great food and specialty drinks. At the other end of Main Street, stop by Richman Insurance for their open house with some great door prizes, food and Christmas spirit. The Evangelical Church will be having a chili sale with proceeds going to the Harlem Food Bank/Harlem Fire Department – a great place to warm up at that end of the street. So make sure to stop by both ends of Main Street for lots of Christmas cheer! Santa Claus will be making his grand entrance down Main Street at 6:00 pm, so make sure all the kiddos are out to see the big guy arrive! Music will be provided at all locations by the Harlem High School band and choir and there might even be hayrides available downtown. Mark your calendars now and spread the word – this is going to be a great night to celebrate the holidays with your family, friends and neighbors and a great way to bring some much-needed life back to our downtown. Hope to see you all there! Have a good week everyone!

If you know of an upcoming event or have an interesting story to share from our community, please submit it to helloharlem21@gmail.com.