The Big Sandy Mountaineer -

January 12-Lippard-Clawiter once again supported numerous Big Sandy projects. $10,000 to further equipment for the city parks; Big Sandy Rotary $2,500 for the youth in our community; Big Sandy Medical Center $10,000 to install new doors; Big Sandy Medical Guild $5,000 for two new geriatric beds; Big Sandy Library $25,000 continued finishes on the new building; Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department $10,000 to update two rucks; Big Sandy Historical Society $9,000 for operating expenses; Big Sandy Volunteer Ambulance $5,500 for portable suction units; Big Sandy Search and Rescue $5,000 for rope rescue equipment; and Big Sandy Cultural Fund $5,000 for a book binding machine.

Genereux family excels at Off Road Motorcycle Races in Montana. They are planning a race in the Coal Mine area called the Brig Sandy Coal Mine Coulee XC race to be held July 15-16.

January 18-New library to open with new librarian. Stephanie Overbay is planning an open house in the future but is currently overloaded with boxes of books.

A new Napa store opened in Big Sandy with new owners Bob and Sandy Wilson and son William. The new location is in the old Q's café on Judith Road and Highway 87 junction.

Pool meeting was held to discuss why a pool project was necessary and that it will be a joint effort by the school and the city. The school owns the land sites that are being considered for the project and it also has the bonding eligibility where the city does not. The city cannot finance it on its own.

January 25-Congratulations to Jeff Ament and Pearl Jam for being inducted into the 2017 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. Jeff Ament was a co-founder of the band is from Big Sandy.

Big Sandy is having its fifth Annual Gun and Ammo show January 27, 28, 29th

February 1--Influenza has found its way to Chouteau County.

February 8--1st Annual coyote hunt huge success for a great cause. There were 71 coyotes hunted, 9 porcupines and 3 fox. The Largest dog was 34.8 pounds and the winner of that coyote brought home a Howa 204 rifle with scope. The smallest was 15.2 pounds. The American Legion in Big Sandy was a big winner too they got around five thousand dollars out of the weekend.

February 15-Dee Pribyl, Marla Ray and Ann Quinn were recognized for their individual efforts in opening a new Big Sandy Library. It remains one of the greatest accomplishments of the year!!

February 22-Marie and Larry Jappe the new owners of the Mint gave a tour to Robert Lucke showing him the fresh new look. Besides a new leveled floor with new flooring there is fresh paint throughout. One of the exciting new looks coming in March is Mickey Kane's large collection of mounted animals. They will be displayed in the dance hall with lights. It will be a great addition to the town of Big Sandy.

March 1-Rotary banquet is set for March 18 tickets go on sale. The theme is this year is "Spring into Paradise." Up to and including last year, Rotary figures it has donated $575,000 dollars to various project. Projects include Big Sandy Soccer field, Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department, Project Graduation, Little Pioneer baseball, Disc Golf Park, high school gym floor, new sidewalks, Big Sandy Food Bank, Big Sandy City parks, Big Sandy Senior Center, youth bowling, Big Sandy Girl Scouts, Big Sandy Library Big Sandy Swim team, and Sheehy Park.

March 8-Hunter Moore earned 1st Place in the 3rd and 4th Grade category at the Chouteau County Spelling Bee in For Benton on February.

Alan Merrill President of Montana Farmers Union is putting on a Producers Conference at the from DC and the upcoming arm bill. Introduction to pulse crops, drone technology and agriculture and growing hops.

Missouri Breaks Monument plan cottonwood planning. Many of the current mature cottonwoods are approaching the end of their lives and limited natural seeding of young cottonwoods occurring, existing forests are a risk of decline.

March 15-National Ag Week March is 19-25 signals a time to celebrate agriculture and its ever-important role in preserving rural communities and supporting the state's economy

March 22-Big Sandy American Legion Post 50 celebrated a big birthday on March 17. They were charted on November 19, 1919 and this year the twenty-five members plus the women's their 98th birthday. Big Sandy American Legion Post 50 along with the American Legion all of the United States is veterans helping veterans, families and communities.

March 29-In reviewing the National Heritage Area that is being proposed for our part of Montana, we notice that the area has been made smaller. Towns that out to be concerned include Belt, Ulm, Cascade, Sun River, Fort Shaw, Great Falls, Fort

Benton, Monarch, Neihart and Vaugm. Those communities will be directly impacted by the Nation Heritage Area according to area rancher Dana Darlington.

April 5-On April 22, 2017 at 7:00 PM the Big Sandy Board of Trustees will meet to make a final decision whether or not to run a special bond election for the purpose of building a new swimming pool.

April 12-Big Sandy Food banks joining up with Set Free Ministries in Great Falls. Set Free Ministries is a rehabilitation center whose clients go around and get food from Great Falls grocery stores who want to donate it. The distribute that food not only in Great Falls, but outlaying towns. This allows the food bank to have far more fresh foods then they have ever had.

Montana Farmers Union and President Alan Merrill, were pleased to join Governor Steve Bullock in Helena for the signing of the Agri-Tourism Bill.

April 19-The high school choir and 5 soloists are going to state Music

April 26-The Big Sandy High Carnival is April 28. And the headlines said weather may be wet through June.

May 3-The top story on this date was a review of the top Montana weather events of the years.

May 10-Big Sandy High School was recognized as a top school in the national rankings. Big Sandy High School earned a bronze medal. Schools are ranked based on their performance on state required tests and how well they prepare students for college. Big Sandy High school was in the top 25 schools statewide

Two Big Sandy High school students, Gabriella Blatt and Tyler Schwarzbach head to international science fair in Los Angel.

Margaret Grubb, 90 years old, is Big Sandy's Mother of the Year

May 17--- Big Sandy High School graduation class of 2017 is Gabriella Blaton, Layton Bahnmiller, Laurence Allerdice, Caitlin Bailey, Matthew Louvar, Alex Richter

May 24-Big Sandy's American Legion Auxiliary, which was organized in 1928, honored Barb Dixon while celebrating Memorial Day. Barb joined the Auxiliary in 1948 and has served and lived out the mission for 69 years!

May 31-Big Sandy students Tyler Schwarzbach, Clint Darlington, Duke Darlington, Tevin Haogen, Elijah Wagoner, Everett Works, Jessica Roth, Bailey Gasvoda, Jasmine Genereux, and Jenna Leader will travel to Costa Rica the June 5-13 to conduct research and participate in a Sea Turtle Ecology Program.

June 7-The Big Sandy Cultural Fund will sponsor free summer workshops in the arts, drama, performance and creative writing for all ages.

The Eagle chapter of bikers stopped in Big sandy, returning to Havre from their annual Memorial weekend ride to support the Montana Chapter of Wounded Warriors. This year the dedicated group rode from Havre to Inverness along the Hi-Line, went south to Fort Benton and back to Havre.

June 14-Bob Nelson is Father of the Year

June 21-New library named for Jeff Reichelt

June 28-The results of the Chouteau County Road Levy was published and although the levy failed in the Big Sandy area it passed county wide with those for 545 and those against 422.

Coal Mine Coulee MTXC is slated for July 15th. the "Race on the Place" is a dream come true for the Genereux family who has been heavy into cross country racing for the last few years.

July 5- Ellaraine Lockie's new book "Nevermore Lenore" was released. Robert Lucke sat down with poet Ellaraine Lockie to discuss it.

The Chouteau County Fair Board gave an update about the up coming fair and one big change. The Grocery Store in Big Sandy was sponsoring the "Harvest Hot Dish" competition. This year instead of the Pork Throw down.

The news though was the Pool Bond the school District had did not pass. 205 supported it and 277 did not.

July 12- Robert Lucke sat down with Mariah Sheehy to talk about her music trip to Cuba with MSU-Bozeman.

Robert Lucke also reported on the Hot July for the Golden Triangle.

July 19- The Mountaineer featured a photo essay about Glacier artist Joe De Young.

And Larry and Marlys from Agri-Prairie talked about the hot dry weather impacting the areas crops.

Big Sandy Cultural Center was running a summer art program for the kids.

August 2- Kracklin Kamut was getting ready to hold an Open House at their new location.

Bob Quinn explained the new branding and how it honors Big Sandy with the logo.

Big Sandy Swim Team placed 2nd at Divisionals. And are headed to State.

August 9- A new P.A was introduced to the Big Sandy, Shannon Kerley hails from New York and starts work at BSMC.

Robert Lucke reports on the fire season for the record books. The Big Sandy Swim Team brings home a 2nd place trophy from the State meet in Class B for a second year in a row.

August 16- The students are headed back to school in Big Sandy. Heather Wolery stressed Pioneer Pride.

We heard from the Chouteau County Fair Board, touching on the important events at the up coming Fair.

Leslie Gregory gave an end of the summer report on the City Pool. It was a busy season for the pool.

August 23- Big news a historical Eclipse on August 21. The first day back at school and the students at both High school and Elemetary got to take time and watch the Eclipse.

The School Board wrestled with School taxes , and the State legislature talked about school levies.

We met Crystal Geyer as the new cook at the Senior Center.

The TV club added a new channel "Grit" tot eh line up.

August 27- We ran a story honoring the Kenilworth cemetery. With help from Vicki Kulbeck and the research she did on the prairie cemetery.

We met Trevor Wilkerson , Big Sandy Organics new bookkeeper.

We gave a ever changing Fire season report. And also shared the Chouteau County Fair results.

September 6- We celebrated Labor Day with a look at the past.

We met new Junior high Spanish teacher, Bridgette Long.

Sad news the Sperry Chalet burns down in Glacier Park. And the East Fork Fire is starting to look better.

September 13- We met new 6th grade teacher Devyn Poser.

Big Sandy dual Credit students contributed to the paper with an article about small town/small school –Big Potential.

We also met new librarian Darlene Cline taking the reigns at the Jeff Reichelt Library.

September 20- We bet 2 new teachers in the Big Sandy Schools. Kindergarten teacher, Samantha Weaver, and Gifted and Talented teacher, Shelbi Darlington.

The Big Sandy Museum was featured.

September 27- Big Sandy Fire department was preparing for their annual Chili Feed.

The Motor Cross Race at Coal Mine XC was preparing for their weekend events.

We also met new Big Sandy High School English teacher, Sarah Pugh.

Heather Wolery shared her 5 reasons she loves the Chili Feed.

October 4- Brad Moore and Heather Wolery talked about a Quarter of a Century of Change in Public Education.

Big Sandy High School Student council was decorating the side walks in town with the Pioneer wagon as a a fund raiser.

We also met new Booster Club President Jeri Roth.

October 11- Big Sandy experienced a huge Blizzard. The blizzard reeked havoc across Central Montana over night and for several days after with power outages and bad roads.

We also argued the Bear Paw vr. Bear's Paw mountain argument.

October 18- Kyrstyl Kulbeck shared an article about how to protect your health. Rachel Baumgarn took the reigns to head up the Red Cross Blood drive.

Bob Quinn was our guest interview.

October 25- Halloween ghost story told from the ghost point of view.

The Chamber told us about their plans for this years Christmas Stroll and honoring Elaine Courtnage.

November 1- We ran a story about historical Fort Assinniboine.

Chamber update was about the raft show.

We talked with Crystal Geyer in our guest interview.

November 8- We reported on Matthew Louvar joining the Coast Guard for our Veterean's Day issue.

Mayor Stiles resigns do to health reasons.

Chamber updates was about the upcoming "Griswold" decorating party.

November 15- The Mint receives a huge collection of mounted trophies from Micky Kane to put on display.

Guest interview was Gwen Kane.

Chamber update talked about the other activities going on around town during the Stroll.

November 22- The National Christmas Tree came through Big Sandy.

We talked about 3 Thanksgiving Traditions.

Chamber update was talking about the auction items and honoring Elaine Courtnage.

We Featured The Hi-Line Funeral Services.

November 29- Big Sandy was gearing up for the "Visions of Christmas past" Stroll.

Big Sandy High School art students were getting ready to show their work at the Mountaineer.

The Big Sandy Food bank talked about getting ready for their Christmas Bounty.

December 6- The Christmas Stroll was a huge success.

Tracy Schuster was interviewed about her diligent work in tracking down and collecting all of the past stroll buttons Elaine Courtnage ever did.

We got the feeling that Christmas was a bit more with a story on the volunteers that helped Cheri Stiles open the Bakery for the stroll.

December 13- Big Sandy Honor band and Choir were featured for what goes into making the Honor band and Honor Choir.

We talked to Big Sandy High School art teacher about the art they had been working on.