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Doris Gullickson is one of the women that most inspires me. She has just recently returned home from a 75 day stay in Great Falls after suffering a slight stroke that was in a crucial spot in her brain. She and I had a conversation about how important it is to understand the signs of a stroke and the prevention of having one. She thought I should write an article about strokes, but the important part of this story is Doris herself! Doris's stroke took place over a longer period of time. Her...
For Seth and Bryanna Goodman and their family this Saturday was the first time they participated ever in an O-Mok-See. "It's a good family experience." They all stood by the fence, with their horse, waiting for one of the children's names to be called. It was a children's race as mom or dad ran along-side the horse as their children rode in the saddle. Tommy is the name of their horse. "He is a really good little pony." Bryanna said, "Ya, this is fun, I'm really excited we can be a part of...
Keely Bahnmiller coordinator of the Big Sandy Garage Sale on June 15th says this year they have 33 yard sales with 45 families participating. We have more sites this year than last year. We have 11 families that have returned from last year and 22 new sites this year. Keely says to "Please come stop by and shop for Big Sandy's second annual community rummage sale." It is one day only from 8-3. The high traffic usually is over by 1:00 so some families start boxing up then. "Stop by the Bear Paw...
Recently as you are all mostly aware there have been two car thefts in the town of Big Sandy. They are not related. The one pickup was discovered and returned to his owner. They have a couple of suspects, but other than that because it is on an ongoing investigation Chouteau County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Echols will not comment. The pickup that was stolen was reported missing an hour or two from when it was stolen. The razor wasn't reported missing up to 12 hours after they had last seen it....
This year's theme at the Christ Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School was "Who is my Neighbor." The story of the good Samaritan can be found in Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan: "On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with...
“This June, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids’ cancer!” says Pastor Erik Siestsema. “Because right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.” “Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.” “So, I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support Children’s Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving This is the third year he...
Schools out, but there are things to do this summer. The pool is open every day and the Big Sandy Library has a reading program. There are t-ball games to watch, O-Mok-See on the weekends. When the "I'm bored" comes it doesn't hurt to have a long list of things to do. It doesn't hurt adults to have a list either. Summer is a good time, to put on your list, relax and do some fun things with the kids. Create pieces of art. Research easy science experiments. Try new fun food. Find and go walking...
For the first time in Big Sandy the Big Sandy Library will sponsor a lunch program that coincides with the summer reading program. Librarian Darlene Cline wrote and received a small grant from the Chouteau County Community Coalition and the Back-Pack Buddies Program which will allow the library to serve a paper sack lunch for students in the reading program. They received enough money so they can serve 60 children lunch on Thursdays at noon. There are no restrictions or income requirements. Any child wanting to be in the reading program at the...
Each Memorial Day often repeats the events of the year before. This was the second year for the MURPH Challenge but other than that it always starts with breakfast served at the Big Sandy Historical Society. Pancakes, sausage, fruit, and coffee. This is the only fund raiser for the Historical Society and the Big Sandy Museum. The breakfast is served by the committed people. They couldn't remember how many years they have been making pancakes, "probably 20"! Linda Ophus, the President of the...
Memorial Day was remembered in a unique way again this year. This is the second time the MURPH was offered in our community. "The 'MURPH' is more than just a workout, it is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor a man who gave everything he had." It is completed in remembrance LT. Michael P. Murphy, United States Navy (SEAL) who gave his life for his country. The Murph challenge consists of running one mile, 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups, and 300...
4-H is 117 years old and the 4-H Pledge is 92 years old. "I pledge...my hands to larger service...for my club, my community, my country and my world." Allan T. Smith, Ph.D., National 4-H Program Leader/USDA compiled an interesting essay on Beyond 4-H Community Service...to Community Service Learning! He talked about the importance of children learning the "feel good" experience for service. Serving impacts kids in a positive manner by learning and genuinely choosing to help the community. The Su...
Alan Merrill, President of Montana Farmers Union, looks at the future of agriculture after talking to bank presidents, who asked to not be acknowledge admitted the future of agriculture doesn’t look promising. Alan remembered the 1970s and the 1980s and comparing them to the current farm economics. “I will try not to be negative, although it is difficult not to be. Comparing then and now makes it difficult to stay positive.” “I started full time farming in 1975 after I graduated. I decided to take a break from school and delayed getting...
Memorial Day Weekend will also be a celebration for the Virgelle Mercantile as it will be 40 years since he first opened the doors. Don told me he remembers his first customers Ruth and Angus Merrill and myself. He even remembered what we bought. While driving to Virgelle I thought of the history I had found on their web site. The town and the Mercantile were "founded in 1912 by Virgil and Ella Blankenbaker along the tracks of the Great Northern Railroad near Coal Banks Landing on the Upper...
Every school year ends on the FE Miley Extravaganza event. This year on May 23rd. Every class does something special to invite the public in to see what the teacher and the students are doing. This year was especially awarding. Every student prepared something for the public. I'll be choosing one in each class to highlight, although everyone should be recognized. Samantha Weaver, the Kindergarten teacher, prepared a Tour Through the Kindergarten National Park. As you walked into the room you...
The Big Sandy School board hired a coach for every sport for the 2019-2020 school year. There was only one applicant per coaching post for each sport. Those coaching will be Thomas Dilworth, Pioneer Boys’ Basketball, Pete Jerrel will be coaching Pioneer Girls’ Basketball, Larry Jappe will be Head Coach for the Pioneer’s Football team, Melanie Schwarzbach will once again be the Pioneer Head Track Coach, Tyler Taylor will coach Pioneer wrestling and Head Coach for the Pioneer Volleyball Team is once again Shersteen Cline. The school board also...
Jim Dumas and The Big Sandy Meat Shop has won two state awards for his beef products. The 2019 Cured Meat championship/Grand Champion for his Fresh Cased Sausage and Blue Ribbon Cheddar Brats. He also took the 2019 Cured Meat Championship Reserve Grand Champion Whole Muscle Jerky. The top six were all within one point of each other. Out of a thousand points Jim got 994, so only six points from perfect. Jim is most proud of this Reserve Champion because there was so many in the category. Jim...
Every year the Big Sandy Masons give away bikes in their Bikes for Books Program. It is a Nation-wide program that is considered one of their most successful program encouraging students to read. This year they gave away three bikes in Big Sandy alone. Students in grades 3rd, 4th, and 5th could participate in the program simply by reading a book. Every time a student read a book he/she would get a ticket and put it in the can so the lucky winners name could be drawn. So, even if they only read...
Graduation is always a wonderful time of celebration. Families come from every direction, mother's cry, memory booths for each graduate surround the walls of the gym, and of course the Pomp and Circumstance grand march. Speeches were given by Jaylyn Cline, Valedictorian, and Georgia Wortman, Salutatorian. Georgia Wortman mentioned the class has so many opportunities in the future. She gave parents, teachers, and her class mates praise and thank you's. She ended with a FFA quote "As we mingle...
My father, David J Clowes, died in 2016 at the age of 85. He did not die in the Korean War. He served as a gunner's mate on the USS Walton, serving in the Formosa Sea during the Korean War. He would often tell stories about his buddies or tell stories that were funny. One time when he had KP duty they had made a huge pot of stew. He had to carry it down below the kitchen to the Mess Deck where the sailors all waited to chew down. He had to maneuver a ladder going down and just when he started...
Editor's Note: We will be profiling 3 seniors. Here is the first. "You are at the end of your senior year." Grace Finke is the only child of Linda and Fred Finke and according to them she has always wanted to go to school, except starting this January she's been ready to move on. When asked what the highlights were of her 12 years of school here she said, "I think spending time together as a community would be the highlight. Attending football games and basketball games which really brought the...
Chouteau County Cancer Support Group is made up of cancer survivors and Trish Eklunds, from Geraldine, who was a hospice social worker. It was formed 19 years ago. They have a board comprised of six people that meet once a month. According to Trish they try to have other activity, presentation or education opportunities around the county. They recently meet with Rotary in Big Sandy to make connections with the Big Sandy community. The three ladies presenting were cancer survivors and there was...
When you think of Mother’s Day and what you do for Mother’s Day it usually doesn’t included tractor work. Driving long hours trying to get caught up with the spring’s late start. You think of flowers and homemade cards. It doesn’t matter how old we are, or if our mother has been gone a long time, we think of our mother and wish our best friend was still present. But rural life sometimes just means special days, even Mother’s Day, is placed on hold. There is no other holiday more emotional as Mother’s Day because a mother’s heart is so imp...
The Big Sandy High School awards assembly was held on May 7. A large potluck was set up on three table, and it was almost all eaten by the end of the night. Years ago, when my own children went to Big Sandy High School there was award banquets all through-out the year, celebrating each sport season. Now they holdit on one night and all awards and scholarships are presented. The evening started with Jessica Jaramillo, BSHS art teacher, presenting the new members of the National Honor Society...
The senior class is on their Senior Trip, their last class trip. They flew to Los Angles. Those class trips start young in Big Sandy. On May 2nd, Kindergarten teacher Samantha Weaver informed me the "Kindergarten through 3rd grade attended a field trip to Fort Benton. K-3 were guided through the Interpretative Center. They saw very interesting animal mounts and learned pioneer period history. The students participated in a discussion on animal furs and skulls. Students in 2nd and 3rd also toured...
This year's theme for Nursing home week is "Live Soulfully." There is no question that the Big Sandy Nursing Home lives up to the theme. They do everything that helps seniors to live fulfilled lives. What is important is the nursing care, activities, meals, physical therapy, a religious connection, and hospice care, or special care for dementia patients. They ask what makes them happy. They ask themselves how they can achieve "happy minds and healthy souls." Every day, staff at the nursing home...
