Sorted by date Results 156 - 180 of 937
Robin Johnson from the Big Sandy Senior Center said, “I’m trying to raise funds without asking for money. So it’s going to be an indoor craft and vendor show. They have 20 tables available for rent on June 24th. That morning the senior center will be offering cinnamon rolls and coffee. They will also have a to-go lunch of hot dogs. The meal, hot dogs, chips, a drink, and a popsicle will sell for $5.00.” They don’t want yard sale stuff on the tables. The Yard Sale stuff will be outside all around town. Any small businesses, crafts, or baked goo...
It’s amazing how many people are hurt. With this month being Mental Health Month, I’ve written a couple of articles, only to discover that way more people in our community live in pain. I’ve been stopped on the street and stood before The Grocery Store and talked. Most of the time, I hear rumors, and more rumors, that aren’t fed by truths or compassion. Because of this, I was told to read a book called The Boy, the Mole, the Fox, and the Horse by Charlie Mackesy. It’s a very short book but beautifully illustrated. I found the book full of wisdo...
At the last board meeting, Big Sandy Superintendent reported that he is currently advertising on the OPIs, Handshake, MREA, and Rural Educator websites. Big Sandy is looking for the following teachers: Secondary Special Education, K-12 Physical Education, 5th grade, and 1st grade. Dan Schrock said he recently received two interests in Secondary Special Education. One of which is already in a special education program of study. I also received a person interested in the 1st or 5th-grade opening. The gym floor will be fixed this summer. The...
Trauma stands for teach regularly and understand more abundantly. Mental Health Month means we must learn more about mental health and try to understand it. Some facts concerning trauma in children. More than 25% of American youth experience a serious traumatic event by their 16th birthday, and many children suffer multiple and repeated traumas. Common sources of trauma include child abuse and neglect, serious accidental injuries, disasters, and medical trauma. After a crisis or traumatic event, a child is at risk of developing traumatic...
Arts and Athletics Council is a new non-profit formed in Big Sandy to help support local youth activities unrelated to the school. An "IRC 501(c)(3) Organizations that are organized and operated exclusively for religious, charitable, scientific, testing for public safety, literary, educational or other specified purposes." One club that belongs is the Big Sandy Pioneer Little League, whose director is Clarissa Ray (406)357-7214. They are forming right now for youth ages 4-13. If you are...
The Big Sandy musical students attending State Musical Festival did Big Sandy Proud! Those receiving a Superior #1 were: Sandy Sweethearts, Jaycee Worall for both vocal and piano solos, Jamie Jones’s Flute Solo, and Hunter Moore’s Trumpet solo. Those receiving Excellent scores #2 Sandy Select, Lance Rutledge/Angie Sant Duet, Darrell Sunchild and Hunter Moore’s instrument duet and Darrell Sunchild/s Baritone Solo. This week the Special Olympic Flame was brought to Big Sandy. Chase Gasvoda and Sonny Phillips were picked to carry the flame throu...
The following facts were taken from the US Department of Health and Human Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Mental health includes our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, According to the above sight, “There are many different types of mental illness. Some of the main groups of mental disorders are mood disorders (such as depression or bipolar disorder), anxiety disorders, personality disorders, psychotic disorders (such as schizophrenia), eating d...
Auctioneer Shane Ophus told me, "I wanted to do something that nobody else was doing. There were already lots of farmers and ranchers. I didn't have any place to go farming or ranching. I didn't want to go to college. So I had to pick another option. His son, Blaine, said, "I grew up in it every Saturday, and even during school or after school, we go to help set up everything. I don't know; being an auctioneer is more of a passion than anything else." And just like that, we got into the real rea...
Several years ago, a Big Sandy Convalescent Home patient attended church. She came into the church and sat in the back pew. When it came time to share prayer concerns, she raised her hand and said, "Please pray my husband dies quickly so I can marry Steve!" The person responsible for prayer briefly paused and said, "I'll pray for the Lord's will in this manner." As ridiculous as her request sounds, I don't think it's so far from the rest of our prayers. We pray for our concerns. We are told to pray for our problems. He wants us to talk to Him....
Mother’s Day always brings up memories. I wanted to have some fun this Mother’s Day by interviewing several kids and adults and asking them, “ What has your mom taught you?” The following answers are from children between 9-14 years old. “She’s taught me how to be safe.” “She’s taught me to chase after our dogs.” “That it’s okay not to do drugs.” “She helps me with my homework.” “To not suck on sugary coated painkillers.” “To not put quarters. In my mouth.” “Don’t lie.” “Don’t talk to strangers.” “Look both ways.” “How to handle ch...
Last week ten cameras were installed around town. According to Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach, four cameras were placed in city hall. Two cameras are at the rest area, looking towards the parking area. "We were going to put it by the doors for traffic coming in and out of the building, but the hang was too low, and we're worried about the cameras getting damaged." There is also a couple of cameras on the city shop. There wasn't any there before--nothing at all. We have a camera on our water fill...
"If I could convey anything to your readership, we are in need of good people. It's a positive place to be. It's a really encouraging and positive place for kids. We do a lot of excellent things for kids. And I don't know any other profession where you can say and do that daily. So we need good people. And I know they're out there. And I'd love to talk to people about how we can partner with them, turn them loose, and empower them to pay it forward because there's a lot of joy in that." Dan...
The District Music Festival was held in Shelby Friday and Saturday. There were 12 schools participating in the district competition. Big Sandy has 37 members in the band and 37 in the choir. On Friday, both the Pioneer band and the Pioneer Choir performed. The whole band performed Friday morning at 10:30. They played Quantum Variations, Red River Valley, Drive, and a song with just a brief review for sight reading. The full choir sang Windy Night, Hitch Your Dream to the Morning Star, and...
The School board met on April 18th for its regular meeting. Heather Wolery, Big Sandy Principal, reported using a graphs to show the current ACT data and some MAP’s data. The graphs showed Big Sandy has improved in all areas over the last year. The Booster Club reported the final designs for the mat in the gym were sent in. They are purple with Pioneers in yellow outlined in white. It was also reported that officers would be elected at the next meeting. Dan Schrock, Big Sandy’s School Superintendent, reported the wagon area design would be fin...
"The roads are terrible!" I've heard that over and over. I may have said it over and over. Even so, it's a picture of our society these days. There is a way to fix the roads. There is a way to fix our society. A couple of weeks ago, I found this statement. "People will value you based on their point of view, their level of information, and their belief in you." I have known for some time we live in a world where man determines the value system. It's been brought home to me lately that people...
When I saw the pictures, I wished I could have floated the runoff. Josh Danreuther, Kristin and Rusty Gasvoda, and Steve Lund kayaked the prairie. The last time the runoff was good enough to float was in 2018. You need good snow and a quick melt. While we all know the impact is flooding, some see the opportunity to enjoy it. Josh Danreuther said, "I didn't go into the lake this year because there was a really strong south wind. It was that big winter, and the runoff was incredible." They...
The Pioneer track team was in Fort Benton and Havre this last week/weekend. At the Fort Benton meet, which had 13 teams present, the girls' varsity took 3rd place overall, and the boys' varsity took 2nd overall. At the Cal Wearley meet in Havre, which had 30 teams present, the boys' varsity took 5th place, and the girls' JV took 6th place. The Cal Wearley meet also included Unified athletes. Below are the results of those track meets: In Fort Benton, the Men's Results in the100m: 1st place...
Yes! Another small business comes to Big Sandy. Amber Barnes has a small business selling jewelry. Amber graduated from Big Sandy in 2012. She just returned to Big Sandy. Amber said, "It's nice to be back. It really is!" She is trying to build her business. Amber said, "I started it in the middle of the pandemic. I was working at home because I was also working at Blue Cross Blue Shield, and we just got sent home immediately. And Paparazzi was just starting off at that time. I joined on July 2,...
The Pioneers had their first track meet of the season in Cut Bank this last weekend. Head Coach Wendy Taylor said, "We had a great first meet which was our first practice out on a track, so we dubbed it our "first official practice" There is only so much that can be done inside where so many kids have limited practice. Some were nervous. Everyone got times and marks, so it was a great start for our season." The Cut Bank Pre-Easter Invitational hosted 29 teams. Since this is the first track...
All Big Sandy Board meetings start with letters that have been received. Rarely are there any, but this time The Big Sandy Pioneer basketball teams sent a letter to the Board thanking them for their support during the year. Rusty Gasvoda was present to tell them that the Junior High Prom was a success. The Big Sandy Booster Club just reported they were confirming the design of the mats to be placed in the gym. Big Sandy Schools received authorization to test for mold because of the water damage in the gym. Some FOB problems at the FE Miley...
For the last few years, I have found myself in a loop of grayness, same after same after same. I could blame it on COVID, but honestly, it started before that. But it's Easter, a great time to reflect on rebirth, new beginnings, or a fresh breeze. I've wanted to experience God again, to feel his presence. Don't get me wrong. The fact that I lived a gray life wasn't because of my pastor or my church. It was because I wasn't looking for the miracles God gives daily. I wasn't celebrating the miraculous. I didn't laugh enough, sing enough, or...
Superintendent Dan Schrock reported to the board that the leak creating the water damage to the gym floor was because of a leak in a fin tube of the heaters in the gym. In the written report to the board Superintendent, they have "wrapped up the mitigation efforts by Day Spring restoration as of last week. They came and removed the equipment that was used to pull moisture from our gym for in the area that experienced a significant water event. Time will tell if other gym areas are affected, and...
The first farm I ever lived on was a dairy farm in the shadow of Mount Jumbo Missoula, Montana. It was a dairy farm owned by my mother’s mom and dad. I don’t remember much, maybe the corral, which was full of manure. I remember the creek. I love mountain creeks, full of rocks and bubble foam water. I remember the irrigation ditch on the side of the mountain. But mostly I just remember a great big barn where the hay was stored with a swinging rope. The truth is, I might remember that because I have a picture of me swinging. Living in the cou...
I knew that adding the 8th-grade wrestlers to the high school wrestling program had helped the team this year, but I was curious to know if the statewide changes were as effective. Head coach Tucker Taylor said, "For our high school, we had two 8th graders. We had Harley Labuda, and Quinn Rodewald, both of them placed at state. In our program alone, quite a few eighth graders were able to be quite successful throughout the wrestling season. I know there was a kid from Hardin that placed in the...
This year's theme of the Rotary Banquet is Rhinestone Cowboy Rotary. The question would be, what do you wear to that? Shon Tester said, "I found his old Rhinestone Cowboy attire from back in the day" from his Grandfather's closet. And I thought, man, wouldn't it be great to have an event where we could wear this kind of stuff? Because I know I'm not the only one with a closet full of this attire. And so many people come up to me, saying, we don't know what to do. And so here it is in black, and...
