Articles written by zoe merrill


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  • New Honor Society inductees

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 23, 2022

    Recently inducted into the Big Sandy Chapter of the National Honor Society were Eva Wagoner, Cody Boone, and Mattie Gasvoda. Jessie Jaramillo, Big Sandy High School's art teacher, is the sponsor of the Big Sandy National Honor Society. Membership in the Honor Society is an honor and should be recognized. She told me that she also has the student write a letter of interest and get a letter of recommendation, and once they are inducted into the program, they must complete 50 hours of community...

  • Lady Pioneers celebrate their season

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 23, 2022

    During a team awards ceremony, coach Britney McKenny presents her volleyball awards at the end of the season. One of her athletes was selected for the first time as an All-State Selection. Congratulations to Angie Sant was also selected for 1st Team All-Conference; Coach Britney said, "I am really excited for her!" Eva Yeadon was chosen for the 2nd Team All-Conference. "I have been keeping stats records for each player for four years. It is so awesome seeing the progress that happens from year t...

  • Big Sandy honors local Veteran's

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 16, 2022

    I grew up respecting Veterans Day; my father was a vet. But it wasn't until my daughter, Serena, and her husband, Kody, were home did I fully understand the depth of the day. I remember my father tearing up every time the national anthem was played, and he insisted on flying the flag daily. I thought I would visit with a few because I knew whether the vets could tell me or not was important. I wanted to allow them to express themselves. Most of them probably would have liked a little more time...

  • City receives debt forgiveness towards Water Project

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 16, 2022

    According to the North Central Montana Regional Water site website, "The Chippewa Cree Tribe of the Rocky Boy's Reservation and the State of Montana, through the Reserved Water Rights Commission, negotiated a settlement of the Tribe's Water Rights Claims. The Compact, ratified by the 1997 Montana Legislature and signed by President Clinton in December of 1999, provided a water allocation of 10,000 acre-feet to the Tribe from Lake Elwell (Tiber Reservoir), south of Chester, Montana. In addition...

  • Miracle on Main street, Stroll Buttons are on sale now

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 16, 2022

    This year's Christmas Stroll theme is a Miracle on Main Street. Marless reminded me, "As you know, it's sort of a twist of the Miracle of 34th Street. Santa has to go to court and prove he is Santa, how the kids put up "I Believe" signs in the window. So they will make some signs to say "I believe ."Then we can have them and put them in all the downtown buildings. Yes. And I hope all the kids at home put some up in their windows at home too. You know.....all right, a miracle might be having...

  • Thanksgiving Challenge

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 16, 2022

    I have never been able to catch the person who removes the snow in front of the Mountaineer until recently. I know several different individuals who do this service, and I've never been able to catch anyone. This time it was Raymond Courtnage. I asked if I could take his picture, and he said, "Sure, no one will know it's me anyway." Thank you, Raymond. I watched as the volunteer crew removed all the snow from the football field. I'm not sure I got everyone, and there is always the chance when...

  • How the Big Sandy Football Team Prevails

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 9, 2022

    It is important to realize just how good our Pioneer Football team is. We need to celebrate the accomplishments and dedication it has taken to get where they are! But let's be honest, the others have been easy up to last week's game; they hadn't had any real competition. I wanted to know how they stayed hungry. What kept them giving their best week after week? So I invited the four senior captains, Lance Rutledge, Rusty Gasvoda, Braydon Cline, and Kody Strutz, to the Big Sandy teacher's lounge...

  • A Friend is worth Thanking!

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 9, 2022

    Thanksgiving is a great time to thank friends. Real friends, not Facebook kind of friends. The type of friends that have lasted through trials, temptations, and disagreements. Nona Danreuther and I have been friends for more than 46 years. At first, we had a lot in common. Now we just know each other. She knows my shortcomings, my failures, how I think, and what I like. Mainly after so many years, I know I could call her anytime, and she would be there. And she tells me the truth, not some...

  • Pioneer Volleyball leave it all on the floor

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 9, 2022

    Big Sandy Pioneer Volleyball players were ready to play at Divisionals! Their first game was against the Belt Huskies who went on to take first place. They lost to Belt in three. Friday they played against Chouteau County rivals the Highwood Mountaineers. Brittney McKenney wrote, "I am beyond proud of this team. These girls gave it everything they had, and then a little bit more. They put on a show at the Divisional tournament. We BATTLED HARD in a 4 set match with Highwood. Scores were 23-25,...

  • November is the time to be Thankful

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 2, 2022

    It is once again that time of year when we take time to be thankful for what we have. This year instead of having just one day, one week, where we have an "attitude of gratitude," we will be talking about what we can be thankful for in November. At Thanksgiving time, when we are asked and go around the table saying what we are thankful for, we will say the same things. We are grateful for our families and friends. We are thankful for our home. Some are even thankful for their jobs. My first...

  • Pioneer Volleyball goes to Divisionals

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 2, 2022

    "We finished the District Tournament in 4th Place. I am beyond excited that we made it to the Divisional Tournament!! Our conference was so competitive all year long. Every match was unpredictable, which was very exciting to watch! I am just glad we were able to finish and buy our ticket to Divisionals. I could not be more proud of my girls," Coach Brittany McKenney said. It was fun to watch her, too, during Districts! Coach McKenney gave the team the skills they needed to be competitive. Big...

  • Lady Pioneers on to Districts with winning on their minds

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 26, 2022

    Coach Britney McKenney said, "I am super proud of my girls for finishing out the conference season with a win! We are heading into the District Tournament 9-7, which is the first time we've had a winning record, since I've been coaching. Districts are going to be wild, because everyone is so evenly matched this season. Everyone is beyond excited to see what happens, including myself! There are 4 teams from our conference that will make it to Divisional. Our goal is to be one of those teams. We...

  • Senior Center received a donation from Jefferson Inn and Lewis & Clark Caverns

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 26, 2022

    Big Sandy Senior Center received a donation of $510 from Lewis and Clark Caverns and Jefferson Inn. They held a raffle and wanted to donate to a Senior Center that was doing a good job recovering from difficulties and was currently in compliance. The check was given to the center by Nichole Thennis, OAA Nutrition & Evidence-Based Program Manager, Montana Office On Aging. During public comment, Pat Matthews thanked the board for all their work to get the center up and running. She commented how...

  • Dave Christensen; Breeder of Corn

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 19, 2022

    Navy Blue I was excited to go to Charlie Overbay's corn-husking party. I wanted to know how the corn faired with the drought and the grasshoppers. Charlie pointed out Dave Christensen from Big Timber, who was already husking corn. Dave is the corn breeder, something he has been working on for 50 years. Each year he hopes to make better corn. It has been a long time since I have talked to someone who was so passionate about his job. He absolutely believes it to be essential. The corn itself is...

  • Big Sandy has one more game before Districts

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 19, 2022

    “We won in 3 sets against Box Elder on Friday night. Scores: 25-14, 25-18, 25-23” I watched the game on NFHS, and the girls took care of business. Box Elder had improved from the time before but still lost in three. The Big Sandy team Stats: Digs: 49, Assists: 21, Kills: 24, Blocks: 2, and Aces: 21 Angie Sant had 10 Digs: Assists: 20 - Jai Baumann, Kills: 9 - Malaysia Baumann, Blocks: 1 - Lindsey Cline and Angie Sant, and Aces: 4 - Malaysia Baumann. On Saturday and Big Sandy Pioneers lost in 3. Coach McKenney said, “Unfortunately, we simpl...

  • Huge Win over Fort Benton

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 12, 2022

    Coach McKenney said, "We had a massive win against Fort Benton on Thursday night. It was extra special, since it was our last home game of the season and Senior Night. This is the first time we've beat Fort Benton, so it was super thrilling. I am beyond proud of my team for getting the job done in 4 sets!" The scores were : 25-23, 16-25, 25-20, 25-23. Impressive Team Stats: Digs: 76, Assists: 23, Kills: 35, Blocks: 5, and Aces: 8 Individual Leaders: Digs: 15 - Jai Baumann, Assists: 19 - Jai...

  • Big Sandy Senior Center to serve special meals during Rummage Sale

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 5, 2022

    Special meals will be served at the Big Sandy Senior Center during the Big Sandy Medical Guild Rummage Sale. Ribs will be served on Thursday, and Spaghetti will be served on Friday. Both will cost $12.00. Carla Courtnage is the new Big Sandy Senior Center Board of Directors member. She was appointed when Karen Baumann resigned. Brenda Darlington, the President, also asked the Mountaineer to inform the public about what was happening at the Big Sandy Senior Center. They could participate in the...

  • From The Desk of the Mountaineer Editor

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 5, 2022

    One request the public has made of the Mountaineer is to have more Ob-Ed articles, which means “opposition to the editorial” page, in other words, more political articles. Consider this your invitation. However, please keep the following in mind. I have the “Freedom of the press, the right to publish and disseminate information, thoughts, and opinions without restraint or censorship as guaranteed under the First Amendment to the U.S. Constitution.” “First Amendment: Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion or prohib...

  • Pioneer Volleyball tie for second place at Northstar Showcase

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 5, 2022

    Volleyball had a huge week of games by first traveling to Chinook and losing in three, 15-25, 25-27, 18-25. Team Stats: Digs: 65, Assists: 14, Kills: 20, Blocks: 3, and Aces: 3 Individual Stats: Digs: 12 - Eva Yeadon and Jai Baumann, Assists: 14 - Jai Baumann, Kills: 6 - Angie Sant, Blocks: 1 -Angie Sant, Eva Yeadon, Keira Galbavy, and Aces: 2 - Eva Wagoner. Big Sandy played Centerville during the Chili Feed weekend. They lost to Centerville in five hard-fought matches. Everyone close 19-25,...

  • Pioneers hit half way mark in season with vicrory over Knights

    Zoe Merrill|Sep 28, 2022

    Coach McKenney wrote, "We won an exciting 5-set match against North Star this week. Even though we played up and down throughout, I was happy to see us finish. We still have a lot of work to do, but I think we are on the right track. My goal for us is to continue being scrappy defensively while also improving our offensive game." Big Sandy beat North Star three sets to two. Scores: 14-25, 25-19, 20-25, 25-16, 16-14 For the last five years, the North Star nights have consistently beaten the Lady...

  • Pioneer Parent Organization Forms to Support teachers

    Zoe Merrill|Sep 21, 2022

    The organizational meeting of the Pioneer Parent Organization met at the Big Sandy Library. The purpose is to find ways to support the teachers of Big Sandy. Both teachers and parents will belong to the organization so they can communicate needs and ideas. Every idea is doable. For example, suppose you want to offer to help do little things. In that case, you can make copies, laminate items, cut out items, hand out backpack buddies, help at the book fair, bake goodies for the teacher's lounge,...

  • Medical Center Board Still Looking for a Permanent CEO

    Zoe Merrill|Sep 21, 2022

    Ron Wiens is still the acting CEO; however, the Medical Center is still looking for a permanent CEO. Anyone interested in the position should contact the Medical Center to require how to apply. I attended the monthly board meeting of the Board of Directors for BSMC. There were 29 people in attendance, all associated with the medical center except myself. I want to express that this will not be meeting minutes, primarily because by the time it gets to print, many agenda items will have changed. Sarah Schlepp reported that currently, the Medical...

  • Pioneer Volleyball splits the week

    Zoe Merrill|Sep 21, 2022

    ven new volleyball enthusiasts can see a difference in the Pioneers. Michael Wright said, " The Pioneer's home game against the CJI was an exciting but tough match-up. Even though the Lady Pioneers lost all three sets, they kept the scores very close and played hard. What is very admirable is that the teammates on the Pioneers were always encouraging each other and cheered together every time they made a point. They proved that volleyball is a team effort and that they depend on each other to...

  • Disastrous Bear Paws Fire

    Zoe Merrill|Sep 14, 2022

    It was a scorching day, over 100 degrees, with a strong wind of plus 20 miles an hour. Red flags warning were out when the fire alarm went off in Big Sandy. It was the kind of day that everyone needed to respond. The rumor was that it was arson because the fire was so sporadic. However, it was started by a contractor working on a cabin formerly owned by Keith Edwards and now owned by a relative. It was purely unintentional. He couldn't stop it and drove immediately to a place where there was...

  • Medical Guild Rummage Sale a Go!

    Zoe Merrill|Sep 14, 2022

    It's great to have it back! Everyone has missed the Medical Guild rummage sale. Twenty-nine people came to the luncheon, and ten of those were new younger people. Lisa Sipler was extremely happy to see new younger people caring about the medical center. It is good when we get involved and give back to our community. These new volunteers have already started working! They also have a new vice president--Laci Labuda. And Michele Robertson volunteered to be responsible for the PR and...

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