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The Big Sandy Senior Center Board has hired a cook, Robin Coyler, for the center with an opening date of August 1st, hopefully. Robin formally worked for the Big Sandy nursing home and needed to give them time to hire a new cook. At the last meeting, the members discussed meal tickets. They have been found. Individuals having meal tickets can either get a refund or continue using them. You will be contacted personally by Terry Grant. The next meeting is on June 20th, a Wednesday, starting at 5:00. Although they had their annual meeting last...
The town of Big Sandy held a regular meeting on June 22nd. Every council member was present, along with two members of the public. The SWPP (stormwater pollution permit) has finally come through. ACME is updating the construction schedule. The council asked them to go to town and update the businesses on Johannes Avenue. A start date is tentatively set for July 5th. There were no further public comments at the Second Reading of Ordinance 2021-01. Rich Jespersen moved to pass the ordinance. Jon Sheehy seconded, and the motion passed unanimously....
It's early morning when I write this, and the birds are singing loudly. I love the mornings because it's a new day, and possibilities are just beginning. Kelly and Jody Haaland have lived here for four years and are now moving on to new possibilities. I wanted to tell them thank you and goodbye. I wanted to tell them, "I enjoyed getting to know you! Being a school superintendent is a difficult job." Kelly was always willing to work with me, and when I needed some time to ask questions, he...
"Summertime and the living is easy," as the song goes. Not for our farmers and ranchers, but maybe for the children of the community. It could be that I'm getting older, but more children are riding bikes this summer. Don't get me wrong; I love that the children and their parents can feel safe in this small town. I love watching them laugh and enjoy each other. There are so many places where children can't play outside without adults present. There are so many places children have to stay in...
Tina Cook said, “It started small with just Tracy and I and our kids--two families and a spattering of older widows. The boys would light fireworks, and we would have a barbeque. It just got bigger and bigger.” They will be serving hamburgers, hot dogs, brats, chips, cookies, water, and “maybe watermelon .”Tina said, “We ask for a $5.00 donation, but if you don’t have the money, we don’t care. We won’t turn you away. Just come over and join the community.” It starts at 6:00. At the Ball park, The last part of this bash begins in the dark. Plea...
Natalen Gasvoda has opened Blushing Willow Salon, a new beauty shop in Big Sandy. She chose the name because she likes "Willow," which means new beginnings. She completed her schooling in 2016 and worked at the Top Hat in Havre for six years. Natalen is married to Adrian Gasvoda, and they are expecting their first child in August. Although she will be closed for a while after the baby is born, Natalen can still take a few appointments for July. The Blushing Willow is located at 88 Johannes Ave....
Most of the time at the last Senior Center meeting was spent looking at and discussing the new by-laws. The by-laws were tabled until the next meeting because Barb Ophus will bring an amendment forward. Barb would like to see the board include younger members of our community. Currently, in the new by-laws, the membership age is 50. The board felt senior citizens should have the responsibility of running the center. They would love to see younger members of our community involved by being a part of the committees appointed to help energize the...
I got excited when I saw the pictures of Big Sandy's first pool. I had heard a swimming pool before our current pool was somewhere by the Big Sandy Lumber. I have been searching for information through old newspapers. I haven't yet found much about how it was built and by whom. The first mention of a pool was in October of 1917. A splatter of pool articles was mentioned running through 1919, but it was about small groups trying to raise funds for a pool every time. They talk about family...
It was a beautiful afternoon, and I was enjoying the greenness of the prairie as I drove home. I saw him on a stretch of highway in the distance. I stopped my car, rolled my window down, and waited for him to stop. I laughed because I wouldn't have stopped if I were enjoying a bicycle ride easily coasting down a hill, but he did. I introduced myself as the local newspaper owner, and he was a story. He smiled and told me he was going on a Bike Packing Tour. It was over 300 miles. He was going...
The next meeting of the Big Sandy Senior Center will be on June 20th at 5:00. The board members have been working on getting the final report from the accountant and hope to have it to present to the members. They will also have new by-laws for the members to consider. The hiring of a cook for the Center is in full swing. Applications, resume, and references have been received. Background checks and interviews will take place before hiring. There will be a brief period where members can voice their opinion about the priorities—a b...
I love our Big Sandy Library. It’s a new brand of the library. I remember going to Valley County Library, only to be “shhhh”! This library is full of life and laughter. That is not saying you can’t find a time when it’s quiet, but you’ll need to know when the times are. Big Sandy is doing a lot of things right with this library. A whole generation is learning to enjoy going to the library. My granddaughter Dorothea went into the library to get Henry and came out with a book in her hand. She said she had the book reserved so she could read it ne...
It took three years. It started when Amanda Robertson was the music teacher at Big Sandy Highschool. She encouraged him to get one. His idea was that every pianist could play it in the area. Also, Doug thought they could give smaller, more often recitals, The area at the Cultural Center area is not big enough to allow for large audiences. But he believes the more concerts, the better because it would be good for the kids who have difficulty playing before large audiences. "One time is not enough...
We can complain all we want about gas prices. We can't go places as we want. Our fast pace style of living must slow down. We can't afford to go 100 miles an hour. We can blame it on a wide variety of reasons. Political rhetoric is off the charts. Let's stop. How can we use this for our good? My granddaughter Faith Cator made an idea jar a couple of days ago. It was painted like a strawberry with Summer Ideas across the front. One of the ideas was to camp in their backyard. Everyone family...
One of the most incredible things about watching little swimmers make it down the 25-meter race is the huge smile on Coach Travis Bauman. I smiled at him, and he said, "How can you not smile!" Only 14 swimmers of the Big Sandy Baracuda swim team attended the Chinook Swim meet. Twelve swimmers made it to the finals on Sunday. It was a beautiful day. Most everyone swimming improved their times. Henry Merrill and D'Aree Sunchild won high point for their age group. Henry shared first place with two...
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...
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...
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...
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...
This Memorial Day week reminds me of Memorial Day's most powerful lesson learned. I was in Washington DC making the rounds of all the memorials. There is very little talking while you soberly view each monument. My father was in the Navy and served during the Korean War. It was important to me to see the Korean War Memorial. I walked slowly, quietly, thinking of my father and his experience. His job was to watch where the bombs landed. So he saw women and children, besides soldiers, being torn t...
State track is a powerful experience for athletes. The large stands are full and the fans loudly support every attempt. Even the last one in the event is clapped for. Usually ever athlete is pumped up and doing their best. Sometimes the stress just makes their muscle fail them. They'll be back next year. Big Sandy did well. An older gentleman who has been involved in track, told me "if you make it to state you are better than over 100 other athletes in that event. Imagine that we have 16...
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...
It was raining for two days. All surfaces needed to be swept or blown off more than once during the Divisional Track meet. To make it to the state meet is a significant accomplishment. Many also had their best times and distances. Much celebration during the two-day event. Athletes must place in the top six to be allowed to go to state. Alex Worrall ran the 800 meters in 2:39.64 for 6th place and her best time. She also did her best time in the mile run, 6:09.74 for 6th place as well. Angela...
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...
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...
It's been 16 years since the Lady Pioneers have taken first place at the 9C District track meet. It was a goal they had set for themselves, and it took a total team effort to do. It's been a challenging year for the boys and girls pioneer track teams with lousy weather and numerous track meets canceled. They had to practice indoors when the weather wasn't cooperating. They struggled through sadness with the loss of their friend, injuries, frustrations, and sometimes even indifference. But most...