Articles written by Zoe Merrill
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Food Bank receives community support through FE Miley Elementary and First Bank of Montana
Kindergarten teacher Samantha Weaver wrote, "The holiday time of year is upon us. Our elementary school is again partnering with our local Food Bank to put together Christmas gift boxes. Last year,...
Christmas Stroll: Shop local this Christmas
Shopping will be more challenging this year because everything costs more! Yes, you can get things cheaper at Walmart or by ordering gifts online, but buying local will help the entire community this Christmas. Local storefronts have a lot to offer....
Finding the inspiration for Chirstmas
I needed inspiration this year, and Heather Dilworth and her mother, Lori Schiller, gave me just that. I can hear people now; it's not even Thanksgiving! But this year, I need to celebrate early....
Big Sandy Christmas Stroll-Yes it's almost here
The Big Sandy Christmas Stroll will be here on December 2. "Christmas Candy Land" is the theme of the event. It's a lot of work to put on this event, and it's more fun if the community members get...
The Mayor would like town support at city council meetings
Shaud Schwarzbach is tired of being Mayor. He knows town people want the council to act, but “they won’t attend the meetings. I want their input!” Being on the city council is stressful. They need your support by being involved. There are...
Michael Wright practices gratitude
I have a love/hate relationship with Facebook, and in November, I work on finding articles for the Mountaineer that celebrate giving thanks. I found Michael Wright's Facebook page. Michael Wright move...
Difficult Memories for a Vet
I visited with a Veteran this past weekend about what Veterans Day means to him. He shared about his time in service and his experiences, and he also shared a story about his time deployed to another...
Thoughts with Zoe
What’s the use of owning my own newspaper if you can’t write what’s important to me? I just recently spent a weekend with my brother and sisters at the family cabin at The Pines Recreation area on Fort Peck Lake (ok, it’s really a...
The Grocery Store continues to support Big Sandy
November is the month I try to write about what to be thankful for. We have a great little Grocery store that never stops giving, and I wanted to talk to you about it. In most cases, they have what...
Thinking thankful with Shane Ophus
I asked Shane Ophus, “How do you approach life so you can be thankful every day”? Shane responds, “Well, it’s not easy. Sometimes, you have to concentrate on it.” However, just that morning, Shane told me he had read in his study...
Many exciting things going on this fall for FFA
Big Sandy High School shop class has been busy preparing for a subterranean geothermal greenhouse, given to Big Sandy by a grant from Northwest Farm Credit Services. Helping to get the site, which is...
Chili Feed celebrates its 68th year
t represents one of the reasons I love small-town living. The tradition has continued for 68 years! Once again, the Fireman's Chili Feed was well attended. Such a wonderful community event. It isn't...
Old Business New Owners Chris O'Dell and Stephanie Therow
New Owners of the Diamon for You club and Casino, Chris O'Dell and Stephanie Therow, sat down with me and talked about how excited they were to be the new owners. Although they will be changing the...
Mountain View Co-op becomes a Seasonal Agronomy facility
At the recent city council meeting I was informed that a business has closed its doors to full-time operation. I received the following information from a letter from Mountain View CO-OP'S Nate...
Big Sandy School funding has multiple layers
I’ve tried to write about school funding before. It has multiple levels and at times is difficult to completely understand. But at a recent board training, I was given a Montana School Finance Handout a 25-page document explaining school finances....
Thoughts with Zoe
Giving Back I had spent the entire day from 10:00-4:00 watching football in Box Elder starting with Junior High Football. It consists of 5th, 6th, 7th, and 8th graders. It’s a fun watch, but a long watch. Two hours of watching young boys learning...
The Mountianeer needs your help for Veterans Special Project
Veterans Day is November 11th. It always comes so quickly and I don’t have time to put together a good article for the Veteran’s Day paper. I need help. I need the names of every Veteran in the Big Sandy area along with a picture. And I don’t w...
Pioneer Parents Make plans to support teachers
The Pioneer Parents Team met on September 12th at the FE Miley Library. Officers were voted on: President Rachel Baumgarn; Vice President Sarah Sura; Secretary Scarlet Auble; and Treasurer Misty LeFur...
Ivan: Family Favorite
A family pet brings enormous joys, of laughter and companionship. Often they sleep in the same bed. Ivan was too big he would take up the whole bed. He was a Great Dane Massive. Nathan bought him...
Civic Duty affects Mountaineer
Civic Duty is a sacred responsibility! One we should all hold in high regard. Those Civic Duties include voting, paying taxes, obeying laws, and jury duty. You may notice a slight difference in the paper this week. We found out on Friday that Leslie...
Thoughts with Zoe
Sometimes blessings come in strange ways. I hate to admit it, but I lost my phone in my own house. The Find My Phone application told me it was in the kitchen. Yes, I've had to use the application...
Two Big Events-August 26th 4-Man Golf Scramble and Marias River Fireman's Concert
Two important opportunities for Big Sandy residents are going on for Big Sandy on Saturday, August 26th the first is the 4-Man Golf Scramble for the Big Sandy Barracuda Swim Team Fundraiser. There...
Big Sandy School Trustees Finalize 23/24 Budget August 15
The Board of Trustees held their regular meeting and Budget Meeting on August 15th. The meeting itself was a three-hour meeting with multiple important subjects to discuss and act upon. Everyone...
Thoughts withZoe
Too many times Thoughts by Zoe tend to be more on the serious side. Today I’d like to comment on the rumors that have gone around town about my Ford Explorer and myself. My 2016 red Ford Explorer has kind of been a nightmare for me. Without going...
City looks at Animal Ordinance again
The town of Big Sandy held its normal City Council meeting on August 10, 2023. There were no Sheriff Deputies present to report to the council. It was noted that 406 is not responding with the results...
