Articles written by zoe merrill


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  • Glenn Braun, a lover of Rocks of all kinds and from all over

    Zoe Merrill|Jul 10, 2019

    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 America

    Zoe Merrill|Jul 10, 2019

    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's dancing wins Scholarship

    Zoe Merrill|Jul 10, 2019

    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...

  • Big Sandy weathered the storm last week

    Zoe Merrill|Jul 3, 2019

    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...

  • Skate Park Jam was full of tricksters and new young skaters for a fun day

    Zoe Merrill|Jul 3, 2019

    It's come a long way from its humble beginnings in 1950s. The first commercial board was called the Roller Derby Skate Board and it has become a multi-billion-dollar sport. I was sitting there, in a borrowed chair on the elementary school lawn listening to the excitement of the participants. As a man reached down to pick up a bottle of water he said hello and I asked him where he was from. He told me he was from Portland Oregon and I asked why he would come to Big Sandy. He told me he has come...

  • Everett Works Impressed with Boys' State

    Zoe Merrill|Jul 3, 2019

    Max Baucus, Steve Bullock, Steve Daines, and Ryan Zinke have all gone to Boy's State. And now Everett Works. It lived up to everything Everett thought it was." "It was very very much what I thought it was. I was not disappointed by it!" His voice was animated with excitement. "The best part of the week was the other people who were there. Those who participated. They were laid back. They just let everybody be themselves." He liked going and said it was nice to go somewhere where everyone let...

  • Big Sandy School Board Meeting: Preparing for New Year

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 26, 2019

    Attending the meeting was Kelly Haaland; Big Sandy Superintendent, Darin Genereux; Chairman, Brad Weaver, (new board member) Glen Terry replacing resigned Brandon Gasvoda, Heather Pleninger, Maryetta Engle; Big Sandy School clerk, Kelly Rutledge; new school board member and Heather Wolery, Big Sandy Principle, were not in attendance. Guests presented topics to be placed on the next month agenda. Thomas Dilworth after visiting with Melanie Schwarzbach Pioneer Activity Director said he would take the lead on fixing the tennis courts. He would lik...

  • Amanda Cline and Lainey Gregory have a Greater Appreciation for Montana Government

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 26, 2019

    Amanda Cline, daughter of Charla Moffit and Ty Cline, and Lainey Gregory is the daughter of Rob and Leslie Gregory have a greater appreciation for the political process of state government. Lainey said, "There were over a hundred girls from all round the state and it was really great to make new friends. Getting to know everybody at a deeper level. Learning about our government was a great experience." Going to the capital sitting in the senate chambers and the house of representatives was...

  • Farm Stories and Fading Dream Book Reading and Signing Party

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 26, 2019

    On Tuesday, July 2, 2019 from 2 pm - 4 pm at the Jeff Reichelt Library Loretta Nepil Johnson will be reading and signing her book Farm Stories and A Fading Dreams. It was printed in 2017, but this is her first opportunity to read and sign her book in Big Sandy Loretta writes, "This memoir starts in the early 20th century as both sets of grandparents are immigrating to the United States from Czechoslovakia. Settling in Chicago, a carpenter and baker, they start to raise large families, just as th...

  • Welcome Zane Bendig: Big Sandy's New Nurse Practitioner

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 19, 2019

    Zane Bendig is Big Sandy's newest Medical provider. Zane, his wife Sarah, and five children will be moving to Big Sandy in July. Currently Zane is travelling back and forth from Great Falls to provide medical care here. He grew up in Great Falls before Zane moved to Denver. In Denver, he was a paramedic and a fire-fighter for 20 years. "Being a first responder in Denver is kind of fun. What I noticed there is the best way to keep people out of the ER is to have better primary care." On the...

  • Big Sandy Schools Hire Three New Teachers

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 19, 2019

    We have three new teachers committed to coming to Big Sandy to teach. The new art teacher is Monica Winderl. She has 19 years of experience teaching art. She comes from the Highwood School as they decided to not have art class there anymore. If you have ever looked at the Chouteau County Fair art department or the varies school’s art displays at the fair you have seen her teaching efforts in her student’s lives. I was always impressed with Highwood’s art program. Dani Norling our 5th grade teacher has moved, but Shelbi Darlington who was our J...

  • The Grocery Store Remodels

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 19, 2019

    Dave and Debra Louvar bought the Grocery Store in the fall of 2002. Debra was telling John Gunhold, the former owner that they were going to have to move because the elevator that Dave manage was closing its doors. John told her, "You should buy the store". Debra said, "I told Dave what he said that night and he told me to tell him we wanted it." The rest is history. Currently the Grocery Store has had a face lift. There wasn't any room to add isles so they went higher. They have added over a...

  • Community Wide Garage Sale a huge success

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 19, 2019

    I hate shopping at garage sales, because I always find something that I want. This time was no exception. I bought a bike for $15, because I wanted one to ride around town with. I found the perfect size bench for my front outside deck which the grandchildren will use to play on, and miraculously I found two pair of shoes size 11, which even stores do not carry! It was not necessarily crowded at the sales, but they all had people at them. There were his and hers sales at opposite end of the lot,...

  • Doris Gullickson Is Home Recovering Slowly

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 19, 2019

    Doris Gullickson is one of the women that most inspires me. She has just recently returned home from a 75 day stay in Great Falls after suffering a slight stroke that was in a crucial spot in her brain. She and I had a conversation about how important it is to understand the signs of a stroke and the prevention of having one. She thought I should write an article about strokes, but the important part of this story is Doris herself! Doris's stroke took place over a longer period of time. Her...

  • Another Saturday of O-Mok-See Action

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 19, 2019

    For Seth and Bryanna Goodman and their family this Saturday was the first time they participated ever in an O-Mok-See. "It's a good family experience." They all stood by the fence, with their horse, waiting for one of the children's names to be called. It was a children's race as mom or dad ran along-side the horse as their children rode in the saddle. Tommy is the name of their horse. "He is a really good little pony." Bryanna said, "Ya, this is fun, I'm really excited we can be a part of...

  • Big Sandy to hold Community Garage Sales Saturday

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 12, 2019

    Keely Bahnmiller coordinator of the Big Sandy Garage Sale on June 15th says this year they have 33 yard sales with 45 families participating. We have more sites this year than last year. We have 11 families that have returned from last year and 22 new sites this year. Keely says to "Please come stop by and shop for Big Sandy's second annual community rummage sale." It is one day only from 8-3. The high traffic usually is over by 1:00 so some families start boxing up then. "Stop by the Bear Paw...

  • Two Car Thefts in Big Sandy

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 12, 2019

    Recently as you are all mostly aware there have been two car thefts in the town of Big Sandy. They are not related. The one pickup was discovered and returned to his owner. They have a couple of suspects, but other than that because it is on an ongoing investigation Chouteau County Sheriff's Deputy Jeremy Echols will not comment. The pickup that was stolen was reported missing an hour or two from when it was stolen. The razor wasn't reported missing up to 12 hours after they had last seen it....

  • Vacation Bible School teaches the lesson "Who is my Neighbor"

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 12, 2019

    This year's theme at the Christ Lutheran Church Vacation Bible School was "Who is my Neighbor." The story of the good Samaritan can be found in Luke 10:25-37 The Parable of the Good Samaritan: "On one occasion an expert in the law stood up to test Jesus. "Teacher," he asked, "what must I do to inherit eternal life?" "What is written in the Law?" he replied. "How do you read it?" He answered, "'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with...

  • Erik Sietsema takes on the "The Great Cycle Challenge"

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 12, 2019

    “This June, I am taking part in the Great Cycle Challenge to fight kids’ cancer!” says Pastor Erik Siestsema. “Because right now, cancer is the biggest killer of children from disease in the United States. Over 15,700 children are diagnosed every year, and sadly, 38 children die of cancer every week.” “Kids should be living life, not fighting for it.” “So, I am raising funds through my challenge to help these kids and support Children’s Cancer Research Fund to allow them to continue their work to develop lifesaving This is the third year he...

  • Keep Your Kids Busy This Summer

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 12, 2019

    Schools out, but there are things to do this summer. The pool is open every day and the Big Sandy Library has a reading program. There are t-ball games to watch, O-Mok-See on the weekends. When the "I'm bored" comes it doesn't hurt to have a long list of things to do. It doesn't hurt adults to have a list either. Summer is a good time, to put on your list, relax and do some fun things with the kids. Create pieces of art. Research easy science experiments. Try new fun food. Find and go walking...

  • Summer Library Programs

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 12, 2019

    For the first time in Big Sandy the Big Sandy Library will sponsor a lunch program that coincides with the summer reading program. Librarian Darlene Cline wrote and received a small grant from the Chouteau County Community Coalition and the Back-Pack Buddies Program which will allow the library to serve a paper sack lunch for students in the reading program. They received enough money so they can serve 60 children lunch on Thursdays at noon. There are no restrictions or income requirements. Any child wanting to be in the reading program at the...

  • Memorial Day festivities take place in Big Sandy

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 5, 2019

    Each Memorial Day often repeats the events of the year before. This was the second year for the MURPH Challenge but other than that it always starts with breakfast served at the Big Sandy Historical Society. Pancakes, sausage, fruit, and coffee. This is the only fund raiser for the Historical Society and the Big Sandy Museum. The breakfast is served by the committed people. They couldn't remember how many years they have been making pancakes, "probably 20"! Linda Ophus, the President of the...

  • LIFT Fitness challenges the Murph

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 5, 2019

    Memorial Day was remembered in a unique way again this year. This is the second time the MURPH was offered in our community. "The 'MURPH' is more than just a workout, it is a tradition that helps push us, humble us, and dedicate a bit of pain and sweat to honor a man who gave everything he had." It is completed in remembrance LT. Michael P. Murphy, United States Navy (SEAL) who gave his life for his country. The Murph challenge consists of running one mile, 100 pull-ups, 200 pushups, and 300...

  • The Importance of Service: Sunshine Snipper perform community service

    Zoe Merrill|Jun 5, 2019

    4-H is 117 years old and the 4-H Pledge is 92 years old. "I pledge...my hands to larger service...for my club, my community, my country and my world." Allan T. Smith, Ph.D., National 4-H Program Leader/USDA compiled an interesting essay on Beyond 4-H Community Service...to Community Service Learning! He talked about the importance of children learning the "feel good" experience for service. Serving impacts kids in a positive manner by learning and genuinely choosing to help the community. The Su...

  • Future of Farming

    Zoe Merrill|May 29, 2019

    Alan Merrill, President of Montana Farmers Union, looks at the future of agriculture after talking to bank presidents, who asked to not be acknowledge admitted the future of agriculture doesn’t look promising. Alan remembered the 1970s and the 1980s and comparing them to the current farm economics. “I will try not to be negative, although it is difficult not to be. Comparing then and now makes it difficult to stay positive.” “I started full time farming in 1975 after I graduated. I decided to take a break from school and delayed getting...

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