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I tried to visit with Wells Fargo personal to ask a few questions. Some of the questions I asked were leading, I admit. I only got the same information everyone received in their letters informing them of the bank closure. The questions I asked were: "The decision to close the bank was because the structural foundation of the bank is unsafe. (Wells Fargo Bank is 108 years old) I was also told customers were down. Big Sandy only has Wells Fargo Bank, and the closure would leave the town with no...
Timothy Bond, who prefers to be called TJ, is from Edwardsburg, MI. "I like being out of the city. I love the space. It' nice, quiet, peaceful. The community has been so welcoming. Everything here is so positive." He has experienced being called Mr. Bond and laughs because his name usually breaks the ice. He has a lot of experience in both band and singing. He plays up to 21 different instruments, but his main instrument is the saxophone. He does compose music as well, and he loves arranging....
The end of the swim year for the Big Sandy Barracudas was held on August 8th with a dessert buffet, presentation of awards, slide show of the year, and team swim. It's been a long season with everyone improving. Rookie of the year award went to Cassia Butler. Most time cut award went to Dorothea Merrill. Travis discussed how every year the most time cut during the year would be given to a bantam swimmer. They put it all together at the end of the season where they can easily take off numerous se...
Before the Booster Club meeting, the fall sports player/parent meetings were held with new rules concerning Booster club donations to the school. (See Article from Melanie Schwarzbach) The Booster Club met at 8:00 for short, let’s make the important decisions, meeting. President Jeri Roth said she has sent out Corporate Sponsor letters and knows there are at least two new sponsors. Those who are sponsors should be receiving the letters in the mail. Junior High and High School Volleyball girls presented their request for volley practice gear a...
It was hot that day and still in the high 80's when it approached the hour I go for my walk. I have accepted a #365challenge to go for at least a mile walk/run/bike ride every day for a year. I wasn't looking forward to walking in the heat, but like always I grabbed my cellphone to prove I did indeed walk that day. I had also committed myself to "smell the roses" every time I walk. I was almost at the end of my walk, while still frustrated because of the heat, I finally noticed the sunset and th...
Big Sandy received the following letter from the State of Montana Public Health and Sanitarian, Staci Evangeline. “Can you tell me what year the Big Sandy pool was built and any years it had major changes? We need to determine what rules apply to it.” “I spoke with the state pool program lead about the turnover rate for your pool. Our recommendation would be to contact a pool technician to assess your situation and determine exactly what the fix might be. If no actions are being taken to address the issue we will not be able to continue licen...
Senior Swimmers who have swum for 13-14 years have their last walk and dive into the pool at half time during the state swim meet. Tyler Schwarzbach is the son of Shaud and Melanie Schwarzbach and has been swimming for 8 years. He wrote in his senior profile at state that his most memorable moment was two years ago when he ate a ghost pepper before his 100 free at Columbia Falls. "I never regretted a decision more than at that moment. He told me, "The best part is the family I got here." As he n...
Drive past Gasvoda and Sons Farm you'll notice that Joan Gasvoda has some beautiful flowers attached to the sign at the entrance of their farm. She told me she drives out to water them every day. The sign was given to Robert (Bob) and Joan as a Christmas present several years ago. Elizabeth (Delp) Gasvoda wrote in the Gathering of Memories, "The spring of 1912 my parents, Robert and Maude Delp, came from Elk Creek, Virginia by immigrant train to Portage, Montana to homestead at Eagleton, Montana...
Nothing is scarier than a wildfire uncontrolled. Nothing is more inspiring than a community working together to fight it. The Big Sandy Fire department is well trained and drops everything to help, but close neighbors stop everything as well to help. Larry Ophus, Big Sandy Fire Chief confirmed, "There's plenty of fuel out there." With all of the abundant rain earlier this year, the grass has grown tall, and with the heat, it's starting to dry out. There has already been plenty of fires too. The...
Jaycee Worrall is home and doing well after being bitten by a snake. Calista Worrall wrote, "The girls and I were on a walk at our campsite. We were coming back when I heard them yell "Snake" it was then that we heard the rattle. It was cold, so the snake took forever to slither into the grass." She considered this to be a God-given thing because she was able to see the rattlesnake and know how long it was about, 18 inches. "Jaycee was able to walk back to the campsite and said it only felt...
It's funny, but around here if we were to say "hay" everybody would know what it is. They would know it's made up of dried stems and leaves of a variety of plants. We know it is used to feed animals during the cruel frigid winter months. City folk may not know, and they definitely don't know what it takes to get it in. MSU Extension writes, "Harvested forages are critical to Montana's billion-dollar livestock industry. Most livestock operations in Montana rely on rangelands - about 70% of our...
The Chouteau County Fair is nearly here on Friday August 16 through August 18. It is time to get those entries made. You can find a wide variety of chances even for children to enter on the internet access chocofair.com. The following information was given to the Mountaineer by the Chouteau County Fair Board. To enter items in the open class-Fine Art and Home Arts Departments, Floriculture, and Agriculture Departments the following is printed: To begin the Open Class entrants will go to: http://chouteaucountyopen.fairentry.com and click on...
The School Board held their meeting at the usual time. All school personnel and board members were present except Brad Weaver. Maintenance this summer includes new flooring at the FE Miley Kindergarten Room and the 1st and 2nd-grade classrooms. At the high school, the resource room is getting a new paint job, but all the old paint needed to be removed first as it is peeling. There was also some cement work required. During some strong rainstorms, there were some water leaks in the football room...
Georgia Baxter says, "there are roses, and then there are flowers." I drove past her home and noticed she had a beautiful rose garden. She informed me she has 50 different roses. She doesn't remember when she started loving roses, but some of her roses are 30 years old, so at least 30 years. Her mother didn't like flowers, but "my gramma loved flowers." Her gramma didn't have any roses, however. Out of the 50 roses, her favorite rose is called the "Veterans Honor." It is a vivid red, her...
Georgia Wortman, the organizer of the last blood drive, said, "The American Red Cross Blood Drive on July 16 went great! I had two first-timers (Riley Genereux and Tyler Schwarzbach) and one milestone (Alma Terry; 2 gallons) with thirty-two donors in total." "The Big Sandy FFA (and parents) donated blood and food. Crystal Geyer, Savannah Weaver, and Amy Sibra for donating their time to help me throughout the day. I was very thankful." "There is always a need for blood, so keep your eyes peeled...
It's Time to Fly In December 2017, when I started writing for the Mountaineer, I felt inadequate. In nineteen months, I've improved. I've learned a local paper is essential. Philosophically, I believe the Big Sandy Mountaineer should be used to celebrate who we are. It should be a tool to keep us connected. Rural lives matter, and we need to be supporting our community. I do have dreams. It will take time before I can make them a reality. However, it's worth the effort. Nothing gained without...
The City Council met on Thursday, July 11th with everyone present except Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach Leslie Gregory reported the Big Sandy Swimming Pool Inspector showed up for a surprise visit and inspection. Historically, the pool was grandfathered for not meeting the requirements at the beginning because of the age of the pool. We are required to maintain an eight-hour water exchange; which means the water in the pool must all be taken out of the pool every eight hours. A couple of years ago we...
They start with a celebration of community with a potluck on Saturday night, Don provides ribs, beans, and salad. And it was more than just a time to buy from each other. Jimmy Griffin said, "it was a magically fun day!" There were over 20 vendors. One that had a 45-foot trailer with antique with a western flavor. Don Sorensen told me that vendors kept calling, and he would have accepted them even if the called on Sunday morning. "If people show up they'll just put them somewhere." It was an...
According to Sandy Broesder a volunteer at Coal Banks and a "full time RV'er", she's having "a blast!" She has minimalist life now, with small house on wheels and a dog, "a little mutt." She spent 40 plus year in Conrad area before this first-time volunteer at any site. "My passion is kayaking." She has kayaked the Missouri river, "Not as much as I would like to and I will do more." Not having been at Coal Banks Landing before she doesn't have a standard to compare this years attendance to the...
Barracuda swimmers have taught me once again the real value of a sport. This last weekend I attended the swim meet at Conrad both Saturday and Sunday. I was going to interview the kids, but to be honest they couldn't give me a complete story to write about because they all said the same thing. "The best part of swimming is meeting new friends." That sentence doesn't say it all. Maybe because they wouldn't express it the way I write it. Meeting new friends means so much more and they have fun for...
The Big Sandy Gun Club is over 40 years old. The building was built in the '70s and the club was active way before that according to Steve Stilles. Besides Steve other club officers are Ken Martin and Brad Moore. There are "30 some" members. It cost only $10 for a single membership for a year. For a family, you only have to pay $15 for membership. Grade school students can shoot at the club house, but must have an adult with them. Weather permitting Steve goes out to the Shooting Range every...
I have always been intrigued by rocks, a gift I received from my mother. I couldn't help but think of her and the hours she would have spent learning from Glenn in his rock house. He must have a ton of rocks, gems, and minerals. He started out by showing me the earrings and pendants he has made which he plans to sell at a few Farmer Markets. He has ordered a few displays. I loved the jewery, because I love rocks. And then he decided to start me from the beginning. It's a passion he has had for...
Glenn Koster is walking across the United States and was recently in Big Sandy for a day. He started in Miami on February 1, 2018, and hopes to finish at the Pacific Ocean on August 26, 2019. He walks to bring a spotlight to Foster Care and adoption. Glenn and his wife Charlcie started Charity Steps in 2015. Both Glenn and his wife will soon be 64 years old and have committed to the goal of bringing awareness to the problems of the foster care system. He has written a book Life is a Long Story...
Audrey Sipler was informed she has won a $500 scholarship from Big Sky State Games. The Scholarship reads, "The Big Sky State Games has teamed up with the CHARACTER COUNTS! Coalition and Kenco Security and Technology to recognize the importance of sportsmanship and character in Montana student athletes. CHARACTER COUNTS! is a nonprofit organization striving to improve the character of today's youth. It is based on common ethical values that transcend political, religious, socio-economic, and...
July 4th will be here, but Big Sandy will not be having any man-made fireworks this year. As it is, it is always, "Next year country!" The 4th isn't just about fire-works anyway, it's about celebrating freedom. Picnics and sitting around celebrating together. It is also important to know there are many people who hate fireworks in Big Sandy so they are happy. It's important to know there are many in Big Sandy that don't want to be, or can't be around fireworks when they go off. So, giving them...