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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...
Big Sandy's Memorial Day observations took place May 30th. The holiday has been taking place in America for 154 years, after being instated to honor Union Soldiers killed in the Civil War. Incidentally, the first Memorial Day also landed on May 30th. All of the standard Big Sandy events took place this year. During the breakfast, parade, and service, I took the time to visit with locals regarding how they observe the day. At the museum entrance, I stopped to visit with Amy Sibra, who was...
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 Which meant it could not be published in the Big Sandy Mountaineer.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...
F.E. Miley Elementary School wrapped up the school year with their annual open house extravaganza. The well-loved tradition is an opportunity for parents and folks from the community to visit the classrooms and see the things the kids have been learning and working on all year. Heather Wolery, the principal, explained: "The extravaganza has been going on for a long time. Every classroom does a big project, and then they share it with the community. It's a pretty big deal at the end of the year,...
According to Laurie Kerzicnik (Montana State University Entomologist), grasshoppers continue to be an issue for several areas in Montana. Grasshopper infestations will continue to extend into the fall. High grasshopper populations this year could be due to a couple of factors including an abundance of a yellow sweet clover in 2019 and a cold, wet spring in 2019 where grass was abundant and rising grasshopper populations were tolerated and mostly not managed. Most grasshoppers overwinter in the egg stage in the soil. After egg hatch in mid to la...
The Big Sandy High School Class of 1972 gathered at the end of May to celebrate the 50th anniversary of their graduation. Over three fourths of the surviving members of the class and many spouses attended the gathering at the Virgelle Mercantile. In addition to locals and those from across Montana, classmates travelled from California, Illinois, Minnesota, Utah and Washington to strengthen special friendships, share memories and provide updates. Those in attendance included classmates Jim...
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...
After the final day of school this year, the Big Sandy Schools Facebook Page posted a short video of "Mr. T's last walk out the door after 49 years." Kids cheered on and accompanied the well-loved teacher as he headed down the front walk for the last time. Mr. T has worked part time for the last several years in the library and helping kids one-on-one with school work. Much of the reason for his long tenure has been his love for teaching kids and for our little town. Dick Thornton started...
Hunter Snapp, one of the 2022 graduates from Big Sandy High School, received a certificate of recognition from the Montana State Department of Labor and Industry for completing a Welding and Machining Pre-Apprenticeship Program. Hunter has been working toward completing the program at Chauncey Terry's shop in Big Sandy for around a year. Chauncey explains that he was approached about the program as a way to help students as they join apprenticeship programs and start trade school. He explained 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...
6 Knees Area Field Day is Scheduled for July 13 MAES-MSU Western Triangle Agricultural Research Center (WTARC) and MSU Extension are hosting a field day in the Knees area on July 13th at 9:00 a.m. Dr. Jamie Sherman (MSU barley breeder) will share research-based information on barley varieties for the Knees area. In addition, Dr. Jason Cook (MSU spring wheat breeder ) will update producers on spring wheat varieties in the test plot. In conclusion, Tyler Lane (MSU Extension Chouteau County) will talk about winter wheat varieties and Justin...
Graduation started like all graduations. Those eight incredible seniors walked into the gym to music that always makes me cry. It had the usual slide show, and speeches by Tavie Wortman and Amiya Griffith. The guest speaker was Heather Wolery. She gave a great speech. Here is part of that speech: "Be Brave enough to suck at something new! What a great quote, right? Remember that when you first try something you probably won't be great at it, but be brave enough to try it and give it some time...
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...
The Montana Children's Theater wrapped up its week of work in Big Sandy with two showings of "Johnny Appleseed" (the musical retelling of the legend of Johnny Appleseed) and marks the first time since before the Pandemic shut down the country. The community is very pleased to have the organization back in Big Sandy after such a long furlough. The show, as is typical of past Missoula Children's Theater productions, was spectacular with professional direction and high production values. Amanda...
The Master Gardener program provides research based information for gardeners. Below are a few notes taken from the turf management portion of the program. • Rough bluegrass is probably the best grass in Montana for shady areas. • Kentucky bluegrass is the best grass for open sunny areas with well-drained soil. • Annual ryegrass can be used as a cover crop following vegetable production. • The standard lawn mix is 60% Kentucky bluegrass, 30% creeping red fescue and 10% annual ryegrass. • Zoysiagrass does not grow well in Montana. Montana s...
National Nursing Home Week concluded last Friday with a community parade for the residents of the Senior Center. Celebrations took place all week with games, costumes, special meals, and other festivities. Leah Griffin, the CEO of the Medical Center, explains the event: "It's National Hospital week. We celebrate all week, and we always end with a Friday parade with the community. I think it's been three years since the last one. So this is cool. Although, the weather is not permitting us to be...
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...
The Big Sandy Rotary Club has been busy getting ready for the spring and summer season. On May 2, the club met at the baseball fields adjacent to F.E. Miley school and cleaned up tumble weeds and garbage so the fields will be ready for the baseball season as well as anyone who wishes to begin folfing. The town's 9 hole folf course is a par three course and is suitable for any one who enjoys the game of folf. On May 9 the club went to Sheehy Park to ready it for the summer camping season. This ye...
Creeping Bellflower is a Persistent Weed in Montana Lawns Creeping bellflower is an herbaceous creeping perennial in the Harebell family. Native to Eurasia, it has become widely naturalized in North America. Initially introduced as an ornamental, this plant has spread aggressively into lawns and gardens where it is difficult to control. Creeping bellflower (Campanula rapunculoides) is a perennial plant with unbranched stems that are usually 1 to 3 feet tall. The stems bear five-lobed, blue to purple, bell-shaped flowers that are 0.75 to 1.5 inc...
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...
Last Thursday, Big Sandy Schools conducted its annual active shooter drills at the High School and at FE Miley Elementary. I subbed at the elementary school and was a part of the drills that morning. I will not be going into detail in this article regarding the specifics of the drill itself. However, I thought it would be interesting to offer some observations and experiences regarding the day itself. For those who have not been in town for past active shooter drills, the entire drill is fairly...
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...
With the 2021-2022 school year nearing an end, the Big Sandy High School Ag Classes are working on some interesting projects that will soon be available for sale or auction to the community. The proceeds of these sales will go to the local FFA chapter and to help defray the expenses of future student trips. In addition, the summer will bring with it some exciting opportunities for students to participate in FFA activities. The most obvious project, based on its sheer size and presence in the...
Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has been confirmed in states throughout the central and western United States including Montana. Although avian influenza is a highly contagious disease to domestic poultry, there are no apparent risks to human health at this time. It is safe to eat properly handled and cooked poultry products, including meat and eggs. Good biosecurity helps keep birds healthy. Steps you can take include minimizing contact with wild birds and other poultry, sanitizing equipment and clothing used around them, and control...
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...
