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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...
Recently, Big Sandy hosted the 35th Annual Middle School Mass Band Festival. 165 musicians represented the 6th, 7th, and 8th grades. Schools participating besides Big Sandy were Havre, CJI, Harlem, Box Elder, Chinook, and North Star. The 6th grade band concert band was conducted by hi-line music teachers. They played 12 The Clock Strikes, Farwell at Dawn, and Legend of Boudica. Guest conductor Cole Bass conducted the 7th and 8th grade Symphonic Band. Cole Bass is from East Helena High School....
For two years, Coach MacDonald of the Box Elder Bears steered the Bears to two state championships, and I visited with him about his coaching philosophy. What does he believe? They have been so much fun to watch over the years. I asked him, "Why are you a coach? And what do you think is the most important thing you coach besides basketball skills?" Coach MacDonald said, "I grew up in a home where basketball was always around and in a community where basketball is a big part of our activities. I... Full story
Ninety-two boxes of meat-3,600 pounds, or 14,000 meals-were delivered to Big Sandy by local ranchers working through the nonprofit Producer Partnership, which provided the meat to the community. Both the school and Senior Citizens will benefit. Shane Chauvet, Co-Founder of Pioneer Producers, was interviewed by KRTV and the Havre paper. He explained that this beef was raised and processed with one goal: feeding local families. "In November, we sent 12 beef to Producer Partnership to get...
Many of you have approached me, expressing the need for accurate information about the closures initiated by the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and their potential impact on Big Sandy. Will it affect the school lunch program, the Big Sand Medica Center, and the FSA? Let’s seek the facts together. “According to the Department of Government Efficiency, or DOGE, the Trump administration plans to shut down multiple Social Security offices, Border Patrol facilities, wildlife stations, and other buildings used for federal work across Mon...
Black and White Psalm 139:23 says, “Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.24 See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting.” The Lord knows I struggle with negative people and people who judge other people, which simply means I’m guilty of both. In our times, people can say whatever they are thinking and criticize anyone who is different from them. They use offensive words that are meant to be! They want their words to be damaging. I struggle to love even my friends who write...
Shon Tester has a way of expressing himself concerning the Big Sandy Rotary Banquet so that it brings excitement to everyone in Big Sandy! “This is a big thing, and it’s an exciting thing, and it’s a fun thing. I do want to encourage people to attend this community event. Involvement is a wonderful palate cleanser for the majority of people, but getting them actually to get involved is sometimes rough. The Rotary banquet has been a wonderful success for many decades now, and it’s because the community is always showing up, and March is intenti... Full story
There are three libraries in Chouteau County: Geraldine, Big Sandy, and Fort Benton. Emily Wicks is the Director of all three. Emily Wicks said, "As far as libraries in Montana: we have 56 counties, and there's like 55 different ways libraries are run in Montana. Ours is an example of a county library. The county is responsible for the funding and the governance. There are some city libraries. There are some city/county libraries. There are also library districts." Wicks puts in the initial... Full story
Charley Overbay, who grows corn for Dave Christensen, had a great year this year. They are still processing it, but the rough estimate would be around 12,000 pounds this year! Every piece of corn cob has to be handled one piece at a time. Some kernels need to be removed one at a time to ensure that their genetics are preserved! To compare the crop from last year when they got 2-3 thousand. "Over eleven years, this year was by far the largest total harvest. But it was also the highest or the... Full story
This year, the Big Sandy Pioneers have an entire cheer squad: Brooke Cope, Camielle Nissen, Ali Moresette, Natalie Lavenger, Jamie Jones, and mascot Chase Gasvoda. They were joined by a new Cheer Coach, Leslie Gregory. It was exciting to see more than two or three out there. Leslie said, "I didn't have any experience with cheer-leading and I am still learning. My goal this year was to get them to look and sound like a team." They ordered new uniforms, which was decided on by the whole team. If...
Amidst the national discourse on the role of the Department of Education and the states in education, it's crucial to understand the impact of federal funding on Montana's education system. "In the 2021–2022 school year, Montana received a substantial $498.3 million in federal funding for public schools, a figure 30.8% higher than the national average. This funding covered 19% of the state's public school expenses in 2023, underscoring its significant role in the state's education landscape." "... Full story
I found visiting with Justin Chen really interesting. His Chinese name is Xingting Chen, which is impossible to pronounce, so he gave himself an American name. When I suggested I take his picture by the American flag, he said that would be wonderful! He traveled from China to Calgary, Canada. "I used to study for over one year." Justin is currently waiting for a study visa to study in Portland, Oregon. "I got an offer from Portland Community College, and I applied for a change from a visitor... Full story
Mary was living in Kalispell, and Nathan was farming here. They met through a mutual friend who was visiting Mary. Mary said, "He thought Nathan and I would hit it off and be great friends, basically because we were both the only ones in our friend group from the state of Montana. He figured we should meet since we both live here in Montana. So one time, when he was over at my house, and I wasn't paying any attention to my computer, he jumped onto my Facebook and friended Nathan. Nathan thought...
Keith Hanson, former owner of the Big Sandy Mountaineer from Chinook, organized a gun show here for the third year in a row. There were 17 vendors and 50 tables, and the place was full. All the vendors I talked to loved firearms. They sell more than guns, of course, with a wide variety of items. They also could purchase guns from private individuals. Some vendors have been in the gun show business for many years, while others just started two years ago. It was fun to talk to an engraver from... Full story
Connie Reichelt, Big Sandy's 5th grade teacher, and her husband Mark travelled to Africa over Christmas Vacation. She taught science to her 5th-grade class from Africa. "At 12:05 pm in Big Sandy, it was 10 pm where I was, so I had created a platform that was called Where in the World is Mrs. Reichelt. So first, they had to figure out where I was, and then after doing that, I gave them video lessons every day with questions about the different animals I was interacting with. I gave them a list of... Full story
Okay, so we voted. Now, more important than voting is staying on top of what is happening in Helena and Washington, D.C., and how our Representatives and Senators are voting. I urge you to take the initiative and do your own research. Your understanding and involvement are crucial. In Montana, use your search bar to go to Legmt.gov. There, you can find everything you need to follow a bill or contact those who work for us. Under that site, you can find a button for Bills, which will answer all your questions. It even gives you the four top...
Quinn Pegar has started the perfect business for the New Year! She has taken over running LIFT Fitness and loves helping people be healthier! She has changed the name by adding "with Quinn." Quinn has six certificates. She told me, "I am a certified personal trainer and a group exercise instructor. These two certificates will be the most I use in the business. My third one is online coaching. They can have six-week programs with me. I work in strength and conditioning. This would be more like...
The Town Council had their monthly meeting December 10th. It started with a meeting allowing the citizens of Big Sandy to comment on the upgrades to the town hall. No one attended the meeting. The city has a savings to help Big Sandy with upkeep. Big Sandy will receive a grant from House Bill 355 for $71,672. Big Sandy will contribute $17,00. The idea is to improve the bathrooms which will include three stalls each, and replace the windows and outside doors. The Sheriff’s office will be improved by going out towards the garage and the rocks o...
I say it every year the grade school's Christmas Concert is my favorite. This year it was obvious it's a favorite for many. The auditorium was packed! The parking lot was full with cars parked lining the street. It started with the 4th grade Recorders! They played A Merry Minuet. Sometime I'd like to hear a song a know so I could recognize it. It's so much fun! The 5th grade band played three songs. I really wanted to hear the 5th grade band this year, because my granddaughter is playing the...
The Big Sandy Christmas Stroll this weekend was a well-attended event. The weather was wonderful, too, so it was easy to go from one event to the other, and the kids enjoyed that! Craft projects for children took place at The Bakery, The Big Sandy Library, and The Club Bar. All three bars had a contest on a special holiday drink, and The Club won. I ate the best sandwich from Pep's: Caribbean pork. It was slow-roasted citrus pork with caramelized onions, garlic aioli, pickled jalapenos, romaine...
The second week of advent is peace. When Jesus was born in Luke, it says. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, goodwill toward men.” So peace was mentioned immediately after He was born! Isaiah 9:6 says Jesus is the Prince of Peace. This is 700 years before Jesus was born. Perfect peace is possible through Jesus. This Christmas lean into Jesus. Cut out, tape to refrigerator, and read daily. December 11---Romans 12:18: “If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” December 12--Romans 14:19: “Let us t...
Christmas is about gifts, following the giving of gifts by the wise man. The Vendor fair at city hall all day Saturday during the Christmas stroll is a perfect time to keep some of our money in our community. Spend your money here and support the community. It’s the perfect day to buy all your gifts from the vendors or certificates from local businesses. I was given the following list of local vendors working for months to get things ready to help you find your gifts for the season. It includes Glenn Braun Jewelry, which I love! Crafty P...
The Big Sandy Christmas Stroll is an important tradition in Big Sandy. The Christmas Stroll Button is pivotal for the success of the event. The students of Big Sandy School enter a contest and enter their design for the button. The winners of the button design contest are London Keane, 8th grade, and Korbyn Jurenka, 9th grade, Ella Chauvet 5th grade, Owen Terry, 4th grade, Ni-ve Washburn, 12th grade, Jamie Jones, Junior. You can purchase the buttons for $10 each at The Grocery Store, although...
Head Wrestling Coach Kyle Rodewald told me that besides assistant Tucker Taylor, “Samuel Cox will be the volunteer assistant. That way, we’ve got somebody the right size and younger than me and Tucker to wrestle with Daryl. It’s actually going to be really good. He’s getting ready to get into shape for the Air Force. So it’s a win-win. You have to get in shape and, at the same time, whip Darrell into shape; that worked out pretty darn handy. They are good friends, great practice partners, and everything last year for senior years.” Coach Rodew...
Advent means the arrival of Christ. As most of us know, the Advent Calendar opens each day to help us prepare for the celebration of Christ’s first arrival. For the next four weeks, I’ll offer you scripture to read. Cut it out of the newspaper and tape it to the refrigerator. This first week of Advent, we will be looking at Hope. There were 400 years of silence between the Old and New Testaments, but that didn’t mean God wasn’t working. Alexander the Great had conquered the world, there was a new way of learning, which encouraged people...
