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I recently came across a great line: “Every Olympic event should have an average person competing for reference.” I am not sure who said it originally, but it is brilliant. First off, it’s funny. I can only imagine what it would be like to race against world class athletes as an out of shape, middle-aged man. More importantly, there is an edge of truth to the idea. Comparing the elite to the average makes it clear what is really going on in the race. I may brag that I can outrun my neigh...
Big Sandy's own Steve Sibra has released a new book through Swallow Publishers. "Shoes For Baby" is a collection of poetry that reflects a great deal of growth for Steve as a writer. Historically, his work has been more narrative, telling brief snapshots of stories with sometimes silly or outlandish imagery. That style has made Steve's work fun and surreal to read (or better yet-listen to him read.) He explains that over the past few years, he has become a more introspective and serious writer...
This week, we are celebrating our Independence as a nation. It is easy to say that we are living in “interesting times” where so many things seem to be in flux and conflict between our fellow Americans simmers hotter and hotter. Divisions along the political spectrum are high and so are the prices of almost everything we need on a daily basis to survive. While reflecting on the crazy challenges we face as a nation, I decided to look back at The Mountaineer from other periods of turmoil to see...
Dan Schrock, Big Sandy Schools' new superintendent, arrived in town over the 4th of July weekend. Dan has been working in Montana for a few years, but is originally from Michigan. "I grew up in lower Michigan, but I graduated from college at Northern Michigan University Marquette up there in the U.P. (upper peninsula). Then I came out to Montana after that." Dan is an outdoors enthusiast who enjoys camping, fishing, hunting, and travel. His preference for outdoor hobbies has heavily influenced h...
Most people know Daniel in the Bible from the story of the lions’ den. The account of that event takes place in the 6th chapter of the book, when Daniel was around 70-years old. He had spent his entire life up until this point working in the courts of Babylon. When the Medo-Persian empire captured Babylon and took over, they appointed tax collectors/administrators to run their newly acquired territory. Daniel naturally rose to the top of the ranks because he was experienced, hard working, w...
With school out and the days growing hotter and longer, the Big Sandy Public Library has launched its always popular summer reading program. The theme for this year's program is Oceans of Possibilities. Pirate ships, buried treasure, and various sea creatures adorn the building to set the mood, and the calendar has been filled to overflowing with a treasure trove of activities for children, teenagers, and adults. Historically, the library has been a gathering point for kids after school and...
The 5th Annual Big Sandy Community Yard Sale took place last Saturday, June 25th. Shoppers were greeted by two new options for sales this year. In addition to the standard yard sales throughout town, City Hall hosted a craft sale and Christ Lutheran Church put on a community rummage sale fundraiser. Most of the folks I spoke with commented on the excellent weather for this year’s activities: A warm sunny day, but not hot. The excellent weather brought out the deal seekers. As one veteran yard s...
The Old Testament history of the Jewish people records a major series of events that changes the religion, how people thought, and in some ways, the course of Western Civilization. This story takes place a few hundred years before the birth of Jesus. Israel was conquered by one of the first great empires in human history: the Babylonians. Their leader, King Nebuchadnezzar, marched his armies all over the known world and made most of it his own. Israel had resisted conquest by lesser empires thro...
The Big Sandy Medical Services Foundation voted this week to donate $15,000 to the Medical Center’s kitchen renovation project. The money being given is the total amount raised by their fundraiser last year. Harry Bold explains: “The $15,000 we gave today was from our fall fundraiser. We sent out a fundraising letter to all the box holders in the Big Sandy and surrounding communities. The money will go towards the remodel of the kitchen to help purchase needed things such as a new reach-in or wa...
When I was a kid, my favorite books were the Choose Your Own Adventure series. These books usually told some sort of adventure story about time travel, monsters, knights, detectives, or some other exciting tale. Every few pages, when the main character reached a major decision, you would make the choice for them. Based on the path you decided, the story to take you would jump to a different page and continue on. I loved these books because I got to steer the story. One of the habits I developed...
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...
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,...
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...
Editor’s Note: This story was to go with last week’s article about the Montana Children’s Theater story. We did not have the room last week. Last week, the Montana Children’s Theater came to Big Sandy to work with our kids to put on a musical show depicting the life of Johnny Appleseed. The story included a few elements of truth, but the legend of Johnny Appleseed has grown larger than life. The story of the real man is fascinating. John Chapman was born in Massachusetts in 1776. He left ho...
I got my first job when I was 16. I worked at a bakery/deli making sandwiches, serving customers, washing dishes, and doing other minimum wage-type restaurant work. Since then (for about 30 years), I have rarely had a stretch of time where I did not work. I’ve unloaded trucks, tracked inventory, made concrete roof tiles, been an exterminator, been a salesperson, done ministry work, and about everything else you can think of. At some point along the way I learned an interesting lesson. Mark Twain...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Every Spring brings with it the powerful chinook winds that fill main street with tumbleweeds and knock out the power on occasion. Another consequence of the Spring windstorms is trash blowing from the dump and onto the highway. For members of our community that live on the highway across from the dump, this means tons of cleaning. Betty Jo Chauvet recently drew attention to the matter with a Facebook post exclaiming that she had just spent two hours cleaning the ditches in front of her...
The school music program played its part in last week's "Art Week" activities. Both the Elementary and High School made noteworthy contributions to the activities. Last week, the High School held a midweek concert in preparation for the pressure of performing for judges. As a follow up, on Tuesday evening the school presented an encore performance. The full band played several pieces in the High School Auditorium before adjourning to City Hall. After having an opportunity to enjoy the artwork...
Around 17 years ago I was hired to work as a chaplain at a metal health facility for kids. I had been a youth pastor for a number of years and was decent at working with kids. That was about all I had going for me, apart from interviewing well. I suspect that within the first few months, it became clear that I wasn’t quite ideal for the job, and I am absolutely certain I made a ton of mistakes over the years. The biggest redeeming factor for my time there came in the form of a few men who i...
The Big Sandy High School Music Program put on a recital last Wednesday, April 20th, in preparation for the District Music Festival which took place in Havre on Friday the 22nd and Saturday the 23rd. The concert was an opportunity for various musicians and singers to perform their festival pieces in front of an audience. The opportunity was especially important because playing in public can be difficult for some students. This concert helped prepare the students to play for judges later. Due to...
The Missoula Children’s Theater is returning to Big Sandy to put on a performance of “Johnny Appleseed” with our local students. Rehearsals are open to children from Kindergarten through 12th grade. They will take place at the High School Auditorium on May 16th from 4 PM to 6 PM. They will also be looking for backstage help for the performance. Amanda Hoffman, who helps run the Big Sandy Theater group explains the program: “Montana’s Children’s Theater is an organization out of Missoula th...