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I love our Big Sandy Library. It’s a new brand of the library. I remember going to Valley County Library, only to be “shhhh”! This library is full of life and laughter. That is not saying you can’t find a time when it’s quiet, but you’ll need to know when the times are. Big Sandy is doing a lot of things right with this library. A whole generation is learning to enjoy going to the library. My granddaughter Dorothea went into the library to get Henry and came out with a book in her hand. She said she had the book reserved so she could read it ne...
It took three years. It started when Amanda Robertson was the music teacher at Big Sandy Highschool. She encouraged him to get one. His idea was that every pianist could play it in the area. Also, Doug thought they could give smaller, more often recitals, The area at the Cultural Center area is not big enough to allow for large audiences. But he believes the more concerts, the better because it would be good for the kids who have difficulty playing before large audiences. "One time is not enough...
We can complain all we want about gas prices. We can't go places as we want. Our fast pace style of living must slow down. We can't afford to go 100 miles an hour. We can blame it on a wide variety of reasons. Political rhetoric is off the charts. Let's stop. How can we use this for our good? My granddaughter Faith Cator made an idea jar a couple of days ago. It was painted like a strawberry with Summer Ideas across the front. One of the ideas was to camp in their backyard. Everyone family...
One of the most incredible things about watching little swimmers make it down the 25-meter race is the huge smile on Coach Travis Bauman. I smiled at him, and he said, "How can you not smile!" Only 14 swimmers of the Big Sandy Baracuda swim team attended the Chinook Swim meet. Twelve swimmers made it to the finals on Sunday. It was a beautiful day. Most everyone swimming improved their times. Henry Merrill and D'Aree Sunchild won high point for their age group. Henry shared first place with two...
On Friday, June 31, I learned from Don Shomo that the Havre Daily News had a mechanical problem with their press. They tried to weld it, but it didn't hold. They are ordering a new part but have no idea when they will receive the part. He encouraged me to call Lewistown Argus and ask if they could print the paper. Lewistown Argus told me they were very short staff and too busy to print another paper. He recommended the Miles City Star. He didn't think he could print it till Thursday, and I would have to travel to get it. I am still waiting on...
On June 2, the Big Sandy School Board interviewed one candidate for Superintendent. They held a meet and greet at 8:30 for staff and community members. There were two candidates, but Gregory Derm pulled out at the last minute. Daniel Schrock was present. There was some concern that the information did not get to the public quickly enough. The Montana School Board Association representative explained they could only be posted 48 hours before the interview. Which meant it could not be published in the Big Sandy Mountaineer. It was posted on the...
At the Big Sandy Senior Center Annual Meeting the members voted to elect three new board members to the board. New board members are Terry Grant, Karen Baumann, and Wendy Kleinsasser. Gloria Godfrey, Deloris Prybil, and Pam Gasvoda have served their terms. They have worked many years of service and they were thanked by the members. The meeting started with a statement by Nichole Thennis, the Older Americans Acts Nutrition Program manager. “Currently, in Chouteau County 11.5% or 660 people are at this time battling food insecurity, 94% of t...
It amazes me how much musical talent is in the community. On May 24, there was a spring piano recital for the students of five piano teachers. Those five teachers were TJ Bond, Michelle Danreuther, Nona Danreuther, Dianna Keane, Marla Ray, Susie Sant, and Jaycee Worrall. Thirty students played; some were significantly advanced, others just beginning. Most were solos, but there were duets as well, and even the three Yirsa brothers played Steady Eddy together with Marla Ray. The Big Sandy Pioneer...
This Memorial Day week reminds me of Memorial Day's most powerful lesson learned. I was in Washington DC making the rounds of all the memorials. There is very little talking while you soberly view each monument. My father was in the Navy and served during the Korean War. It was important to me to see the Korean War Memorial. I walked slowly, quietly, thinking of my father and his experience. His job was to watch where the bombs landed. So he saw women and children, besides soldiers, being torn t...
State track is a powerful experience for athletes. The large stands are full and the fans loudly support every attempt. Even the last one in the event is clapped for. Usually ever athlete is pumped up and doing their best. Sometimes the stress just makes their muscle fail them. They'll be back next year. Big Sandy did well. An older gentleman who has been involved in track, told me "if you make it to state you are better than over 100 other athletes in that event. Imagine that we have 16...
Concerning the new pool, Diana LaBuda asked the Council to look over the bullet points she sent out regarding the draft Interlocal Agreement with the school over the lease of the land where the pool will be built. She would like their replies by May 20. Mayor Schwarzbach had some questions about the length of the lease. Diana will go over some of the agreements with a member of the board and will send out any revisions to the Council. Second Reading of Ordinance 2021-01 (Junk Ordinance): There were no further public comments. Rich Jespersen...
It was raining for two days. All surfaces needed to be swept or blown off more than once during the Divisional Track meet. To make it to the state meet is a significant accomplishment. Many also had their best times and distances. Much celebration during the two-day event. Athletes must place in the top six to be allowed to go to state. Alex Worrall ran the 800 meters in 2:39.64 for 6th place and her best time. She also did her best time in the mile run, 6:09.74 for 6th place as well. Angela...
Dan Wirth is a sixth-generation Montanan and running for Chouteau County Commissioner as a Republican. He was born and raised in the Belt area until his family took over my grandparent's ranch and relocated to Wolf Creek, Montana. Dan moved to Chouteau County in 2005 and has lived in District 2 for 17 years. His family currently lives on Antelope lake Road out of Floweree. Dan's wife works in Fort Benton, and he has two sons attending Fort Benton Elementary School. They enjoy being part of the...
By Zoe Merrill The following awards and scholarships were given to Amiya Griffith; Heisman Award, Montana University System Honor; Montana STEM/ Healthcare, Youth Serve MT, Masonic Scholarship, American Legion Government Tests 1st Amiya Griffith, Masonic Treasure Lodge, FFA, Shannon Green Memorial, and Grosen Family. Cooper Taylor and Lainey Terry received the HOBY award. This year's Girls State Delegate was Amaya Edwards. Tavie Wortman received the DAR Good Citizen School Winner, Elanie...
It's been 16 years since the Lady Pioneers have taken first place at the 9C District track meet. It was a goal they had set for themselves, and it took a total team effort to do. It's been a challenging year for the boys and girls pioneer track teams with lousy weather and numerous track meets canceled. They had to practice indoors when the weather wasn't cooperating. They struggled through sadness with the loss of their friend, injuries, frustrations, and sometimes even indifference. But most...
Last Saturday, at Pepin Park in Havre, Montana, it was a little cloudy and rained even, but The Shiver Brains played their hearts out. The Shiver Brains, made up of Levon Myers, Henry, and Dorothea Merrill, Liam Simpsom, Lexie Jones , and Eden Pansch. Tavie Wortman played guitar to help them out. They are learning to sing, play guitar, drums, keyboards, and rhythm instruments at the Rock School. They sang Louie Louie by the Kingsmen, Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash, Smells Like Team Sp...
The Cascade Top 8 track meet was held in Great Falls by invitation only for those in B and C schools whose athletes were in the top eight in their fields. Big Sandy Pioneers sent 11 athletes. Alex Worral took 4th in the 800 meters with a time of 2:48.45 and 5th in the 1600 meters with a time of 6:12.15. Angie Sant took 6th in the 800 meters with a time of 2:50.02 and 9th in the 1600 Meters with a time of 6:35.05. Eva Wagoner took 7th in the 200 meters with a time of 28.82, her best this season. She placed 4th in the 100 Hurdles with a time of...
At the last city council meeting, there was once again the discussion about dogs running loose, and the question was asked about why we cannot fix this problem. Below you will find a section of the ordinance that deals with animals within the city limits. The original ordinance is six pages long, and you can find it on the Town of Big Sandy web page. There remain at least two significant issues. You cannot just complain about it or talk to a deputy; you must sign an official complaint before the deputies can do anything about the problem. Last...
In the 49 years I have lived here, I have never experienced such a show of Big Sandy's talented artists. A Week of Art filled the fireman's hall completely! It was amazing to see the talent I have heard so much about. Monica Winderl, the art teacher at the high school, has told me for three years how amazed she is with the artistic talent we have in our schools. She has a master's degree, so I believed Monica when she told me how good the students were, but seeing how good they blew me away. I w...
Many track meets were canceled, but they are sure making them up now. Last week they had three track meets, one in Havre, one in Chouteau, and one in Great Falls. I love watching track when the weather is nice, and these three meets had real nice weather. It's difficult to report on track meets because the number of athletes is crazy this year. At the Havre meet, they had 500 athletes, and I thought it was a long day, primarily because they had prelims and finals. However, the Great Falls meet...
The meeting started with public comments by Kristie Rutledge, who is concerned about the morale at the school. She believes it affects not just the kids but teachers and community members. Travis Baumann said the new WiFi would be here in the middle of June. They discussed next year’s school calendar; it will start on August 22 and end on May 31. The new superintendent search currently has three applicants. They have decided to ask the MT School Board Association to help find new qualified candidates. Darin Genereux discussed the policy of c...
Brett Holmquist graduated in 1992 after four years of being a star basketball, track player, and football player for the Pioneers. Everyone also knew how good he was at music. He went to Concordia College in Moorehead on a choir scholarship. He stayed there two years but transferred to U of M to finish his teaching degree. Brett is still making music. "I've been coming back to Big Sandy to visit with Gramma Helen, Nathan, Chris, and Josh." A year ago, Stick and String were recorded at RD...
When I first moved to Big Sandy to a farm out southeast. A huge cottonwood tree greeted everyone at the start of our farm. Over the years, the tree was poisoned by weed spray from airplanes spraying the crops right above it. It finally died and stood for years with its white skin against the blue sky, but ultimately, my husband cut it down. Years later, I saw what I thought was a fantastic picture-a sunflower growing out of a dead tree stump. I've come to understand its message to me. We...
On a cold, windy day in Choteau, Montana, 24 schools attended a track meet. It was well attended because a track meet was not canceled. Although the Pioneers didn't have anyone running in the 100 meters, just to let you know how huge the meet was, 89 high school boys ran in the event. Big Sandy was missing a large portion of their team while participating in the Music Festival in Havre. Others traveled to Bozeman to watch Kade Strutz play in the Bobcat gray and gold scrimmage. In the 100, 53...
The town of Big Sandy held its regular meeting on April 7, 2022. Colby Baumgarn offered his resignation as councilperson from Ward 2. Jon Sheehy offered his resignation from Ward 1 because he moved to a different area of town. Krystyl Kulbeck moved to appoint Danielle Weaver as councilperson for Ward 1, replacing Jon Sheehy. Jon Sheehy was then appointed councilperson for Ward 2. There were 14 members of the town of Big Sandy present. Chuck Williams from KLJ said he was contacting ACME for a fir...
