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There will always be two EMT personnel at the football games. They have the best seats in the house. They have 10 active EMT members Krystyl Kulbeck, Medical Director; Dusty Allderdice, Service Manager; Melanie Schwarzbach; Heather Pleninger; Paula Amsbaugh; Nathan Merrill; Maggie Cline; Tim Bahnmiller; Ken Denning, and Larry Ophus. Dusty Allderdice said, "we also get support from the Big Sandy Firemen. They help us when we need lifting assistance, vehicle accidents, or drivers." She also said...
It takes a village to raise a child they say. It takes a community to withstand all the difficulties of time. A community bands together over the years if it wants to survive 110 years. The Mountaineer is 110 years old. Older than the homestead pictures I took. The Mountaineer has gone through many changes, but always serving the same community. I love unique pictures, this one of a blank with old rusty nails which may be helping to hold the old building together, reminds me of the Mountaineer....
Eating cotton candy is a requirement at a county fair. So is eating fried bread, Indian tacos, and drinking lemonade. I was sitting in the 4-H Chuck Wagon eating the fair special pulled pork, baked beans, and coleslaw in a plastic cup. A little boy waiter came up to me and asked if I wanted him to remove my cup. I said, "No, I'm not through eating yet. I just talk too much." He smiled as to comfort me and said, "My mom does that too." There is only one event that helps Chouteau county residents...
A full Big Sandy Council voted unanimously to fix the pool according to state requirements. As published in the Mountaineer in August, "Leslie Gregory reported the Big Sandy Swimming Pool Inspector showed up for a surprise visit and inspection. Historically, the pool was grandfathered for not meeting the requirements at the beginning because of the age of the pool. We are required to maintain an eight-hour water exchange; which means the water in the pool must all be taken out of the pool every...
If you have ever known a child who Shriners Hospital in Spokane as helped you know supporting their fund-raising efforts are well worth it. According to their web site, "For more than 90 years, families seeking the best orthopedic care have chosen Shriners Hospitals for Children - Spokane. What began as a mobile unit in 1924, has grown into a beautiful, state-of-the-art, 30-bed hospital treating thousands of patients each year." The Shriners Hospital in Spokane works with children from birth...
The Chouteau County Fair will be taking place Friday, August 16 through Sunday, August 18. The fair’s theme, “Make the Fair Great.” According to Shirley Embleton, Chouteau County Fair Office Manager, they chose the theme because it’s local participation that makes the fair great. She’s been the office manager for 12 years and wants to invite everyone, “Come and see what is going to happen at the fair. Without you participating the fair wouldn’t be. So, we need you to come, and you’ll be surprised it’s more fun than you’ve given it credit for...
I tried to visit with Wells Fargo personal to ask a few questions. Some of the questions I asked were leading, I admit. I only got the same information everyone received in their letters informing them of the bank closure. The questions I asked were: "The decision to close the bank was because the structural foundation of the bank is unsafe. (Wells Fargo Bank is 108 years old) I was also told customers were down. Big Sandy only has Wells Fargo Bank, and the closure would leave the town with no...
Timothy Bond, who prefers to be called TJ, is from Edwardsburg, MI. "I like being out of the city. I love the space. It' nice, quiet, peaceful. The community has been so welcoming. Everything here is so positive." He has experienced being called Mr. Bond and laughs because his name usually breaks the ice. He has a lot of experience in both band and singing. He plays up to 21 different instruments, but his main instrument is the saxophone. He does compose music as well, and he loves arranging....
The end of the swim year for the Big Sandy Barracudas was held on August 8th with a dessert buffet, presentation of awards, slide show of the year, and team swim. It's been a long season with everyone improving. Rookie of the year award went to Cassia Butler. Most time cut award went to Dorothea Merrill. Travis discussed how every year the most time cut during the year would be given to a bantam swimmer. They put it all together at the end of the season where they can easily take off numerous se...
Before the Booster Club meeting, the fall sports player/parent meetings were held with new rules concerning Booster club donations to the school. (See Article from Melanie Schwarzbach) The Booster Club met at 8:00 for short, let’s make the important decisions, meeting. President Jeri Roth said she has sent out Corporate Sponsor letters and knows there are at least two new sponsors. Those who are sponsors should be receiving the letters in the mail. Junior High and High School Volleyball girls presented their request for volley practice gear a...
It was hot that day and still in the high 80's when it approached the hour I go for my walk. I have accepted a #365challenge to go for at least a mile walk/run/bike ride every day for a year. I wasn't looking forward to walking in the heat, but like always I grabbed my cellphone to prove I did indeed walk that day. I had also committed myself to "smell the roses" every time I walk. I was almost at the end of my walk, while still frustrated because of the heat, I finally noticed the sunset and th...
Big Sandy received the following letter from the State of Montana Public Health and Sanitarian, Staci Evangeline. “Can you tell me what year the Big Sandy pool was built and any years it had major changes? We need to determine what rules apply to it.” “I spoke with the state pool program lead about the turnover rate for your pool. Our recommendation would be to contact a pool technician to assess your situation and determine exactly what the fix might be. If no actions are being taken to address the issue we will not be able to continue licen...
Senior Swimmers who have swum for 13-14 years have their last walk and dive into the pool at half time during the state swim meet. Tyler Schwarzbach is the son of Shaud and Melanie Schwarzbach and has been swimming for 8 years. He wrote in his senior profile at state that his most memorable moment was two years ago when he ate a ghost pepper before his 100 free at Columbia Falls. "I never regretted a decision more than at that moment. He told me, "The best part is the family I got here." As he n...
Drive past Gasvoda and Sons Farm you'll notice that Joan Gasvoda has some beautiful flowers attached to the sign at the entrance of their farm. She told me she drives out to water them every day. The sign was given to Robert (Bob) and Joan as a Christmas present several years ago. Elizabeth (Delp) Gasvoda wrote in the Gathering of Memories, "The spring of 1912 my parents, Robert and Maude Delp, came from Elk Creek, Virginia by immigrant train to Portage, Montana to homestead at Eagleton, Montana...
Nothing is scarier than a wildfire uncontrolled. Nothing is more inspiring than a community working together to fight it. The Big Sandy Fire department is well trained and drops everything to help, but close neighbors stop everything as well to help. Larry Ophus, Big Sandy Fire Chief confirmed, "There's plenty of fuel out there." With all of the abundant rain earlier this year, the grass has grown tall, and with the heat, it's starting to dry out. There has already been plenty of fires too. The...
Jaycee Worrall is home and doing well after being bitten by a snake. Calista Worrall wrote, "The girls and I were on a walk at our campsite. We were coming back when I heard them yell "Snake" it was then that we heard the rattle. It was cold, so the snake took forever to slither into the grass." She considered this to be a God-given thing because she was able to see the rattlesnake and know how long it was about, 18 inches. "Jaycee was able to walk back to the campsite and said it only felt...
It's funny, but around here if we were to say "hay" everybody would know what it is. They would know it's made up of dried stems and leaves of a variety of plants. We know it is used to feed animals during the cruel frigid winter months. City folk may not know, and they definitely don't know what it takes to get it in. MSU Extension writes, "Harvested forages are critical to Montana's billion-dollar livestock industry. Most livestock operations in Montana rely on rangelands - about 70% of our...
The Chouteau County Fair is nearly here on Friday August 16 through August 18. It is time to get those entries made. You can find a wide variety of chances even for children to enter on the internet access chocofair.com. The following information was given to the Mountaineer by the Chouteau County Fair Board. To enter items in the open class-Fine Art and Home Arts Departments, Floriculture, and Agriculture Departments the following is printed: To begin the Open Class entrants will go to: http://chouteaucountyopen.fairentry.com and click on...
The School Board held their meeting at the usual time. All school personnel and board members were present except Brad Weaver. Maintenance this summer includes new flooring at the FE Miley Kindergarten Room and the 1st and 2nd-grade classrooms. At the high school, the resource room is getting a new paint job, but all the old paint needed to be removed first as it is peeling. There was also some cement work required. During some strong rainstorms, there were some water leaks in the football room...
Georgia Baxter says, "there are roses, and then there are flowers." I drove past her home and noticed she had a beautiful rose garden. She informed me she has 50 different roses. She doesn't remember when she started loving roses, but some of her roses are 30 years old, so at least 30 years. Her mother didn't like flowers, but "my gramma loved flowers." Her gramma didn't have any roses, however. Out of the 50 roses, her favorite rose is called the "Veterans Honor." It is a vivid red, her...
Georgia Wortman, the organizer of the last blood drive, said, "The American Red Cross Blood Drive on July 16 went great! I had two first-timers (Riley Genereux and Tyler Schwarzbach) and one milestone (Alma Terry; 2 gallons) with thirty-two donors in total." "The Big Sandy FFA (and parents) donated blood and food. Crystal Geyer, Savannah Weaver, and Amy Sibra for donating their time to help me throughout the day. I was very thankful." "There is always a need for blood, so keep your eyes peeled...
It's Time to Fly In December 2017, when I started writing for the Mountaineer, I felt inadequate. In nineteen months, I've improved. I've learned a local paper is essential. Philosophically, I believe the Big Sandy Mountaineer should be used to celebrate who we are. It should be a tool to keep us connected. Rural lives matter, and we need to be supporting our community. I do have dreams. It will take time before I can make them a reality. However, it's worth the effort. Nothing gained without...
The City Council met on Thursday, July 11th with everyone present except Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach Leslie Gregory reported the Big Sandy Swimming Pool Inspector showed up for a surprise visit and inspection. Historically, the pool was grandfathered for not meeting the requirements at the beginning because of the age of the pool. We are required to maintain an eight-hour water exchange; which means the water in the pool must all be taken out of the pool every eight hours. A couple of years ago we...
They start with a celebration of community with a potluck on Saturday night, Don provides ribs, beans, and salad. And it was more than just a time to buy from each other. Jimmy Griffin said, "it was a magically fun day!" There were over 20 vendors. One that had a 45-foot trailer with antique with a western flavor. Don Sorensen told me that vendors kept calling, and he would have accepted them even if the called on Sunday morning. "If people show up they'll just put them somewhere." It was an...
According to Sandy Broesder a volunteer at Coal Banks and a "full time RV'er", she's having "a blast!" She has minimalist life now, with small house on wheels and a dog, "a little mutt." She spent 40 plus year in Conrad area before this first-time volunteer at any site. "My passion is kayaking." She has kayaked the Missouri river, "Not as much as I would like to and I will do more." Not having been at Coal Banks Landing before she doesn't have a standard to compare this years attendance to the...
