Holden O'Dell's love for Big Sandy is palpable. It's not just a place he lives, it's a community he's deeply connected to. When Holden O'Dell first came to Big Sandy, he liked it right away. "I felt very welcomed in the town. I came to visit for Christmas five years ago, I think, and on my way back, I decided to move here because I felt welcomed in just the two weeks I spent here. I've been able to integrate myself with the town a little better since then." Holden works at The Grocery Store. "I...
1978-1995: Paul Forrest Williams was born in 1932 in Dullleton, California to Byron Williams and Big Sandy Native, Alice Norden. By 1935, the family had moved to Havre, Montana. Paul must have had a close relationship with his maternal grandfather, Paul Norden, of Big Sandy since he and his mother were frequently listed with at least one of his Big Sandy relatives in the social columns in the Big Sandy Mountaineer throughout the 1940s. Paul was employed at Nels Hokanson's in 1949. In January...
Board of Trustees Meeting March 17th, 2025, 4:00 pm in the High School Library Trustees in attendance: Chair Brad Weaver, Kyle Danreuther, Matt Myers, Amanda Hoffman Trustee delayed arrival: Jessica Sheehy, arrived at 5:10pm Staff in attendance: Superintendent Dan Schrock, Principal Heather Wolery, District Clerk Mary Merrill Guests in attendance. 1. Call to Order- Meeting Called to order by Chairperson Brad Weaver at 4:01pm 2. Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all. 3. Public Comment- Non Agenda Items - none The Board recognizes the value...
y the time the Mountaineer gets into your mailboxes, Cami Hillis, Samantha Bjornestad, and Brianna Terry will be home from their trip to Guatemala. I'll admit I had to look on a map to see where it was. This article will just be a teaser as I can't wait to hear from them on their trip of a lifetime. Guatemala is a country located in Central America, bordered by Mexico to the north and west, Belize and the Caribbean Sea to the northeast, Honduras to the east, El Salvador to the southeast, and...
The Foot of the Cross Christian bookstore in Great Falls has moved to a new location in the Holiday Village Mall and will be celebrating their grand opening all week April 14th through the 19th. The nonprofit store has been operating for 3 years, selling Christian books (both new and used) as well as other Christian products. The new location opens avenues for them to fulfill their mission in new ways. Mark Davis, who started the Foot of the Cross store, explained the recent move: "We were...
Twelfth Annual Chouteau County Agriculture Day for 4th and 5th Graders The twelfth annual Chouteau County Ag Day for 4th and 5th graders will take place at the Chouteau County Fairgrounds on May 6, 2025. All 4th and 5th graders in Chouteau County are invited to attend. Home school kids who are interested in participating need to contact the Chouteau County Extension Office at 622-3751. Youth will learn why agriculture is important to their health, home and community. For thousands of years, civilization has been built upon a foundation laid...
( Editor’s Note: I’ve been hearing more people think they should plant a garden due to the increase in food prices. Murial wrote for the Mountaineer for many years and we thought it would be fun to honor her and reread her articles about gardening.) Perennials aren’t as critical to choose. You may want to plant them to enjoy for a year or two, and the investment isn’t so great. There are lots of perennials that will live and become larger and more beautiful every year and are perfectly hardy in our cold climate. When selecting trees,...
William (Bill) Edwards,76, left this world on July 25, 2024 in Eugene, Oregon. He was born January 27, 1948 in Tekoa, Washington. He lived with his parents, Bill and Jess Edwards, until his graduation from Tekoa High School in 1966. He attended North Idaho Community College and then Eastern Washington University, graduating with a Bachelor's Degree in Education. After that he attended Washington State University where he received his Masters Degree in Physical Education and School...
Lysbeth "Lynn" Hughes Ophus died of natural causes on March 19 at the South Hill Rockwood Retirement Community in Spokane, Washington. A memorial service will take place at a later date. Memorial donations can be made to the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church, PO Bos 606, Havre, MT 59501 or or the MSU-Northern Foundation (Lynn Ophus Endowed Scholarship), PO Box 1691 Havre, MT 59501. She was born February 5, 1932, in Scobey, Montana. Her parents were Frank Jr. and Doris Hughes. She attended...