How many of you knew that Canada celebrated Thanksgiving on October 11th.? Instead, we here are celebrating November 25th. Ken and I usually celebrate both days, so why not? However, this year we were too busy to get into a turkey dinner. Instead, we will celebrate in November. Now maybe it’s just me, but I have a hunch it was some man that planned the US Thanksgiving in late November! Canada has done it much smarter You have Thanksgiving, and then enjoy Halloween a couple of weeks later. You then have all of November and most of December to organize Christmas, so you enjoy it. What you have here in the US is a lot of stress. First, the big meal at Thanksgiving and possibly travel involved. Then it’s right into gifts, parties, wrapping, cards, baking, and again possibly travel and certainly one big meal and likely more meals in celebration of the season. I’m sure there is the odd household in which both partners share all of this, but my observation, and those of my friends, is that Christmas wouldn’t happen if it weren’t for the women. However, now I have that off my chest, I turn to the reason behind Thanksgiving--which we all know. We all say thanks for our health, family, a roof over our heads, and food on our table. A listing like that makes me feel like I’m at the Academy Awards--” I’d like to thank my parents for having me, etc., etc.” As a result, I will write with gratitude about the people in Big Sandy who have made things nicer and brighter for me. I am by no means discounting all the other people that are likely doing as good a job; I am simply commenting on the people whose paths I cross regularly.
Danielle Weaver is doing a brilliant job in what is now her pharmacy! Congratulations! Danielle is always working hard, is constantly patient, and is just a really nice person with which to work. We are lucky to have such an excellent pharmacy in our town. Moving down the street, my next constant stop is the library. Thank you, Darlene Cline! Having been a teacher, I can see a lot of Darlene’s work is similar. She has programs for children and decorates seasonally. She acquires books that seem impossible to obtain. Having read half through a good book while there, I returned from Canada and then had to leave it! It was not in our library or our usual partners Fort Benton and Havre, but Darlene kept on the trail and grabbed me one from Harlem! It’s things like that that make us very lucky to have Darlene. Darlene is also someone that may be having a bad day but still greets you cheerfully and listens to your life stories. I see her helping people who aren’t as computer literate as some and dealing strictly but reasonably with children getting a little out of hand. Good job all around! Thanks also go out to Ann Quinn, who has organized and promoted Book Club. We as a group have learned and enjoyed ourselves so much every month. It’s a different book, sometimes other people and constantly varying views and experiences to share. Thank you, Ann, for leading this most engaging group in which we can participate. Who knew how close Cuba was to Key West and who came before Castro? Educational and entertaining sums up Bookclub.
I wonder how many realize how fortunate we are to have such an exemplary store in Big Sandy? Shelves are well stocked, with amazing diversity especially considering this is a small town. Deb is a hard-working, organized captain of the ship The Grocery Store. Things are clean, and upkeep work runs like clockwork. Deb herself is always really pleasant and exciting to talk to despite her heavy workload. I have yet to see an unpleasant cashier there but have to single out Shirley for a pat on the back. Shirley is the first person in Big Sandy to say hello and find out who I was. Since then, she has been constantly helpful, kind, and just a really good person to have a conversation with me. The fact we both love animals also helps!
In a former article, I praised Erica Chauvet. Here I go again. She has been a good friend to me through all my animal sicknesses. She gets medicine when it’s hard to obtain and will swiftly send you to a specialist if she detects a need. I will never forget her much-needed hug when my dear Chance died. She had valiantly fought beside me, trying to save him, and when the end came, we cried together. That creates a bond. Since Shane’s terrible accident, I know she is strained and overcapacity trying to do so much each day. If you see a need you can fill for Erica; please step up. Such a giving person deserves to receive some herself!
Now I come to Sister Kathleen. What a unique and impressive person she is. When I grow up, I would like to be like her. We have chats occasionally, although she has a very busy schedule, which would put most of us to shame. She once told me she couldn’t understand how anyone gets bored as there is so much to do! She sees and hears things she disagrees with and is not shy to speak her mind. However, she does not let all the drama that is constantly around us derail her. ‘I just keep going on doing my own thing”, was a comment she once made to me. She is unswerving, and I admire that greatly. I can’t begin to imagine all the good she has accomplished in her life with her attitude.
Thinking of spiritual people, my thoughts turn to Sue King, the Methodist Church pastor. I wrote a glowing report about her some time ago before she had begun her work here. I don’t regret a word I said. She is indeed like the energizer bunny, constantly planning and executing those plans. She has certainly inherited a thorny path and has gained my respect for how she tackles problems with patience and kindness. She is undoubtedly a person people would do well to emulate.
UMW, my women’s church group, has been a bright light for me. I have felt accepted and part of a team. This group of women has steadfast goals who accomplish so much. They are likely not recognized by most of the population in Big Sandy. Not being able to hold their annual sale due to Covid has temporarily stopped all their donations to various charities. However, they continue to send care packages to a member now in Fort Benton, decorate the church and keep each other’s spirits up. We have some really good meetings and, of course, delicious food. So much life experience in one room from which to draw! Thank you, UMW, for being there for me.
Ken attends a bible study group every Wednesday morning at 6:30 at Christ Lutheran. This is a group of men who have breakfast together, taking turns making it. They discuss community and country events before turning to study the bible. They are not all one church denomination, but they make it work. Each has their version of the bible or study book, and they carry on each week. I applaud them for continuing for so many years ( over 20), I understand. We should all study our Bibles more, and these men are actually doing it, and at 6:30
am! Extra stars in heaven for that, I would think! I think it is very comforting to know that there are men in our midst who think enough about being a Christian to do something about it every week, come rain or shine.
My list would not be complete without a shout-out to Zane Bendig. I am impressed with his expertise and professional knowledge. He is quick to research if he isn’t sure of or wants more information about something. We have all heard or witnessed his stellar abilities in the ER. I personally have benefited there. We have lucked out to have him make Big Sandy his home. Each time I go for appointments, we have an interesting conversation. I have found yet another animal lover. What more could I possibly ask for?
Now I come to two neighbors, Lil and Skip Foussard. I love the way Lil keeps an eye out for us, noting so much that goes on in and around our property. This is so appreciated. Skip comes by to share garden produce and even takes piles of their corn stalks over to our horses, so nothing goes to waste in their garden, and the horses get a treat. They are great neighbors to have, and a person knows that you have two people handy that will help if trouble arises. Thank you, Lil and Skip. You are what everyone wishes they had for neighbors.
Now I feel I must praise someone who revels in trying to one-up me verbally whenever our paths cross. Too bad he loses. I’m talking about Shane Ophus. Every week he puts something in the paper about Keeping Big Sandy Great. These are not empty words; he actually does what he preaches. He has been a really good friend to Ken and me. He never says no to any request we have made, be it feeding animals or lending trailers for hay moving. He has plowed out our driveway several times after bad blizzards, all done without us asking. He and Ken help each other often, whether it’s with tools or advice. He recently even caught my chicken (Patsy Klein), who had flown the coop while in Canada. He is a good friend to have, even if he does tend to be mouthy. However, what can you expect from an auctioneer? Seriously, thank you, Shane, for being someone we and I’m sure others in Big Sandy can count on.
nding up thanking Ken, and though I am talking about things he has done, I know with certainty that there are others like him here who do kind things for people who are never recognized. He has caught snakes for hysterical women, started cars that won’t start, fixed up something small for someone when no one else will bother with doing something small. If a renter calls at 8 pm with a problem, Ken puts down everything and is over to fix whatever needs fixing. Some time passed, he did a roof for an elderly lady. She couldn’t pay him all at once, so he assured her he could get paid some each month. She remembered for a couple of months and then forgot. Rather than pursue it, Ken just laughed and let it go. On the flip side, Ken has done construction work in and around Big Sandy for over 40 years, and during all that time and all those jobs, there are only two people who have not paid him when they could. So a shout out to people with integrity that comprise the bulk of the people here. Ken tells me stories of going each Saturday to bath and otherwise try to clean up one older gentleman. He was a character. After one session of Ken cleaning, he “paid” Ken with one of his jars of preserves. The only problem was these preserves had been around for an unimaginable length of time. The proof was that the contents of the jar were moving and writhing around. While Ken’s disbelieving eyes were glued to the jar in motion, the old fellow confided he’d had some for supper a couple of nights before. Apparently, he had fallen sick, but he wasfeeling just fine by the time Ken had come by. Ken discretely disposed of the gift once he got home. More recently, he was called to a flooded basement. It was dark, and the water was high, but Ken put on his waders and checked it out. Eventually, the proper authorities to fix the plumbing situation took care of that after Ken spent most of his weekend bailing out the basement to do the plumbing work. A couple of days later, we headed out to Havre to see a movie when this same fellow with the plumbing problem called. His water heater was acting up; could Ken see what was going on? The fellow was in a wheelchair, so he was unable to do much himself. I was tapping my foot, eager to get away and not be late for our movie. However, Ken got a look on his face I have come to know. He would dash over and check it out. As Ken again descended the stairs in the dank basement, he was horrified to see the whole water heater in flames. No extinguisher was on the premises, so Ken shouted to the fellow to call 911, and he raced to our house, got one of our extinguishers, and put out the fire. Just think if he had put off this request for help.
Now. This is a list of people who have helped me or impressed me. I’m sure you have your own lists. Leading up to Thanksgiving, what about others out there making their own lists and sending them into Lorrie? It would be super to see all the different lists! Give it a go Big Sandy!
