Articles written by zoe merrill


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  • Big Sandy Coaches discuss mid-season strategy

    Zoe Merrill|Jan 26, 2022

    Halfway through the winter season, each coach knows where they are and where they want to go. Pioneer boys basketball coach Thomas Dilworth says his personal goal is to coach character. “I want to have good men, not good basketball players. That’s my biggest thing, focusing on that because it all relates to basketball. It’s discipline, integrity, and accountability. You have to use them to be a good basketball team. I like to win games; it’s fun, but I hope that’s not what I am remembered by.” Right now, “We’re learning. When we get on the righ...

  • Big Sandy's Rock School and RD Recording

    Zoe Merrill|Jan 12, 2022

    It's the beginning of a new year, and although RD Recording and Rock School are a year and a half in, it's still a perfect example of going for an idea or dream and making it real. RD Recording and Rock School started In remembrance of Rusty Danreuther. Chris said, "he was so good with music and sports. I'm trying to carry on his passion. If he were here, he'd be all about it." For one and a half years, Chris Myers, with the help of his dad, Larry, has been working with kids, teaching them...

  • Thoughts with Zoe

    Zoe Merrill|Jan 5, 2022

    I didn’t find the Christmas spirit till the week of Christmas, so I’m disappointed to find Christmas is over. So, I pondered the idea of celebrating Christmas all year. What would it be like? What would I do to remind myself of the glory of Christmas? I came up with eight. 1. Think about Jesus in a real and personal way daily which is why Christmas is so special. The music, the stories, and the reality of God as one of us. 2. Forgive quickly—nothing takes away the spirit of Christmas like carrying a grudge. Nothing ruins a day, a week, a month...

  • Big Sandy School Board Schedule discussion for public access to the gym

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 29, 2021

    The latest Big Sandy School Board meeting was short. I attended by Google Meet. Superintendent Kelly Haaland mentioned that the gym floor would be touched-up again with a water-based finish during Christmas break. We also have a few electrical issues going on. He also mentioned that the new COVID variant is not going away soon. The evaluation tool for the Superintendent, the Principal, and the Financial Clerk has been chosen. They like the 14-page evaluation better than the two-page one because it covers more areas. They have been looking at...

  • Wreath Across America

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 22, 2021

    Sunday, December is the nation's Wreath Across America. According to their website, "Wreaths Across America (WAA) was started in 2006 to expand students and community education by putting veterans together with children through the mission statement "Remember, Honor, Teach." (Remember the fallen; Honor those who served; and Teach our children the value of freedom.)." On December 18th, wreaths are placed on the graves of veterans. In Chouteau County, Geraldine had 14, Carter 11, Big Sandy 55,...

  • Mountaineer Increases rates

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 15, 2021

    I have now owned the Mountaineer for two years. It’s been a great learning opportunity, as I have never owned a town-down business before. It is amazing what businesses are required to do. I struggled through Covid-19, and with the help of a couple of grants, I was able to make it through. However, I have to take a serious look at income and what I have to payout. I have delayed this decision as long as I can. I am increasing the cost of the paper by $5 a year. Within Chouteau County, the Mountaineer costs $38 a year. It will now cost $43 a y...

  • Big Sandy Medical Center Annual Meeting held in November

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 8, 2021

    There were 21 guests present at the Medical Center Annual Meeting, which was held at their new building across the street from the dining room and kitchen. The audit was a clean audit with no journal entries. Leah Griffin, CEO of the Big Sandy Medical Center, mentioned the BSMC Board of Directors entered into a contract with Cypress Healthcare at the direction of Leah Griffith, CEO, in February 2021. Cypress Healthcare provides consulting services to assist in the management of the facility. They met with the Board and Medical Staff in March...

  • Pioneer Basketball hits the court this weekend at Pre- Season Tournament in Dutton

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 8, 2021

    This year, the Pioneer Girls coaches are Travis Baumann, Katy Nicholson, and Ella Jurenka as a volunteer coach. There are 14 players for Varsity and JV, 12 high school girls, and two 8th graders. "It's going to be a surprise, Coach Travis said. "I'm excited about it, I really am. We've been looking at films and roosters from last year. They have no seniors, but five juniors, one sophomore, six freshmen, and two 8th graders. "We aren't very tall." Coach Travis is a conditioning coach, so they...

  • Pioneer Wrestling season has started : Baumann takes 4th in first wrestling meet

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 8, 2021

    The Big Sandy Pioneer Wrestling team has three boys. Darryl Sunchild is coming back from an injury he sustained in football season. Tucker Taylor, the coach, said, "The big thing, my goal from him--I'm mostly concerned he gets back healthy. Whether he sets his feet on the wrestling mat or not. "Tannin Baumann had an ankle injury; hopefully, we can keep him healthy." This last weekend Tannin placed in 4th in the 138-pound class at the Havre Invitational Meet. Austin Haugan is a new wrestler....

  • Supporting Big Sandy Small Businesses

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 1, 2021

    Editor's note: If I did not get your business listed, please let me know, and I will run a correction detailing your business in the next Big Sandy Mountaineer: It is essential to shop at home as it does affect our economy; we must support our local businesses during our Christmas shopping. Indeed, we don't have shopping available like Great Falls or Havre, but we can still shop and fill many of our Christmas lists locally. Gift certificates to local businesses are always a good present to give....

  • Big Sandy Organics moves forward

    Zoe Merrill|Dec 1, 2021

    Big Sandy Organics has hired Claude Smith. He recently retired from his other job in Great Falls and is excited to take the reins and help Big Sandy Organics continue to grow. What is exciting is while talking to him, you realize the positive impact that Big Sandy Organics continued development will have on the town Big Sandy. Claude told me currently he is "Designing a new facility along with modern production lines. We are designing a new production facility because we have outgrown this one....

  • Celebrating Thanksgiving in Big Sandy

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 24, 2021

    Thanksgiving is mostly a time to eat with extended family members. People travel home to celebrate together. Traditionally every family has its meal. Gramma makes something; others make a salad, two or three pies are served. Usually, there are two types of cranberries, the real kind and the jelly kind. Mashed potatoes, gravy, stuffing, and homemade rolls are on the menu. We always make too much, so there can be lots of leftovers. In Big Sandy, there have already been two Thanksgiving meals...

  • Thoughts with Zoe

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 24, 2021

    This time of year, when the bright colors of fall have fallen off or blown away, driving to work is rather dull, with faded goldfields, brown dirt, dry grass, and dead stems. Usually, I'm a little behind on a Monday. Monday is the Mountaineers' most hectic morning, and I have always told myself to get there earlier. Still, I delayed either because I was enjoying my morning sleep or enjoying a slow cup of coffee while reading my bible. It is also always possible I have left a responsibility from...

  • Big Sandy School Board Meeting

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 24, 2021

    The student Council would like to bring Amberley Snyder, a motivational speaker, to Big Sandy High School. Snyder was in an accident, driving without a seat belt and over-corrected after looking down at a map. She was driving to compete in a horse-riding competition, which she still does today, even though she has been paralyzed from the waist down since 2010. Booster club reported on their activities, already reported on by this newspaper; however, they also said that during the Halloween Carnival at the F. E. Miley school, the sixth graders...

  • November 14 Town Council Meeting

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 17, 2021

    During Public Comment, Lorrie Merrill informed the council that it would cost $380 for each main street user to use a camera to look and see if there are any issues with their sewer. They recommend doing it closer to the spring because any makers they would make now would not be visible in the spring. Lorrie said she would get the contact information to everyone along the main street. There will be a significant donor visiting Big Sandy this week to consider a pool donation. Wendy also fixed the bookkeeping accounts to make sure we were in...

  • Veteran's Honored by Big Sandy Students

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 17, 2021

    For some reason, I always cry at the Veteran's Day Program. I thought it was because my daughter and her husband are veterans, but they have moved from Big Sandy. And I still found myself crying. It's deep within me; I guess that soldiers deserve so much more from us than a short day of honor. I think of my family's generations of involvement in serving. I often wonder how serving affected each person. I know when you do, you are changed. I believe that the Big Sandy High School Choir does a...

  • "I will win if I don't quit."

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 17, 2021

    Both the volleyball and football seasons have ended with a loss. However, as one of the principles of Ro Wiggins says, "I will win if I don't quit," has been proven true. These teams saw weekly improvement. They worked so hard as a team; they have got to feel good about what they accomplished. I am so excited to see what they will achieve next year! Ro Wiggins is a young man originally from Louisiana who has been traveling Montana to give athletic camps in many small towns. He has a powerful...

  • Community Decay Ordinance nears completion

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 10, 2021

    The city council met to have a work meeting for Ordinance No 20021-1, Community Decay Ordinance. Besides the city council members, five residences attended and expressed their opinions about having such an ordinance. The next action the council is taking is sending the ordinance one last time to the Chouteau County attorney, Steve Gannon, and to the town of Big Sandy’s attorney, Jennifer Forsyth, in Havre. The ordinance itself is five pages long, and it will not be published in its entirety. It is also crucial that you understand the words p...

  • My history comes Alive

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 10, 2021

    You can know what some of your family histories are. I wasn't necessarily interested in my family until my sister, Dena, started digging into it herself. Her friend Liz looked up something for her, and after that, she was hooked on our family. Dena spends hours every day researching. She has information going back 40 generations. She has studied all four of my family lines Patten, Brewer, Clowes, and Biddle. In my family are many interesting, powerful, and inspiring blood relatives. And others...

  • Meet the new owners of LIFT Fitness

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 3, 2021

    The new owners of LIFT are Maryls Myers, Tracy Schuster, and Connie Reichelt. Maryls has gone to LIFT for 4 ½ years and said, "I have never stuck with anything this long." Following that, Tracy told me, "This September was my fourth anniversary for attending LIFT. Marlys Myers talked me into going for the first time, and I was hooked!" Connie Reichelt said, "I have been attending classes for three years. I have struggled with orthopedic issues, and strength training has helped me...

  • Red Ribbon Week, A Week to Make Choices

    Zoe Merrill|Nov 3, 2021

    The Theme for the 2021 Red Ribbon week is “Drug Free Looks Like me.” At the High School, Diana Keen said the student council was stepping up to run the week. They talked about Nicotine on Monday. They are learning that both regular cigarettes and e-cigarettes have Nicotine in them. According to John Hopkins Medical School, Nicotine is a highly addictive drug as harmful as heroin and cocaine. Nicotine raises your blood pressure and increases your heart rate. Tuesday, they visited about alcohol in the teen mind, which causes damage to the bra...

  • Big Sandy School Board Meeting October 19th

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 27, 2021

    At the last school board meeting, they visited about repairing the new gym floor. The floor is peeling in numerous places. The oil-based polyurethane was put on this summer. The company will be coming in to patch it with a water-based urethane and fix it permanently this spring. It was also noted that the Big Sandy School website had posted a document about common questions concerning returning to school and COVID -19. On the website, look under Menu/Documents/ School Board Documents/COVID-19. Glen Terry, School Board President, said, “Our main...

  • Council discusses current events

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 20, 2021

    Big Sandy City Council met for their regular meeting on October 14 at 7:00 p.m. The Big Sandy Pool continues to raise funds. However, some of the more substantial funding needs to have a non-profit status to give to before they can give to the project. This will be worked on in the future. Also, auditors requested the funds be set up in a different, more efficient way. There was one question about why we aren’t planning an indoor pool. And the most straightforward answer is we can’t afford an indoor pool. KLJ was present to answer any que...

  • Big Sandy Pioneers run over Valier Panthers 46-14

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 20, 2021

    (Editors Note: This is my first attempt to cover a football game. I watched it on NFHS Network. At first, I could read the numbers of the players, but it got darker I couldn’t see who did what, and if the announcer didn’t tell me, the information was lost. Sats were not sent to me.) The Big Sandy Pioneers traveled to Valier and won the football contest 46-14. The Pioneers started the game with four Juniors and two sophomores. Valier started with one senior and five juniors. On their first possession, the Pioneers couldn’t move it 15 yards and h...

  • One Incredible Weekend for the Big Sandy community

    Zoe Merrill|Oct 13, 2021

    It started with a children's parade with pulled wagons that each class decorated. They even called me from the school to make sure I would see them and take a picture. The children walked from F.E. Miley School to the high school through the downtown area. They even threw candy! After they got to the football field, those who wanted to participate in the Punt, Pass, and Kick Contest. I love the Punt, Pass, and Kick contest. All those who want to be football players dream about being one. All...

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