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Believe it or not it is the beginning of another Big Sandy Pioneer Football season. As I drove up to the football field for the first practice of the season, which started at 6:00 in the morning, I couldn't help but be excited. There were five coaches on the field and 13 football players. The players were running and there was spirited music blasting away to encourage a certain pace. The field was in great shape, incredible green under a grain elevator with PIONEER placed in its windows. At the...
The School Board met August 15th, at 7:00 AM. Yes, AM, early in order for the farm members of the board to return to harvest. After the standing for the pledge, approval of minutes. During public comments Lorrie Merrill reminded the board the school that Big Sandy Activities had donated the school a kiln and to please keep that in mind. Superintendent Kelly did an overview of building maintenance and summer projects. He did mention there was a break in the water pipe on the football field, but it was repaired. Also, there is a spot on the...
Bill Evans Chouteau County Executive Director of the Farm Service Agency had an 'employee gathering in the field' where we can have both a district meeting and we can recognize the accomplishments of employees. "We talk over things in general that we need to talk about as an agency. But in addition to that, part of the intent is to also experience a field visit to get out into the country to see some of the stuff that we experience all the time behind our desks, but never really see in real...
I met him in the high school shop as he was trying to clean and reorganize it. I noticed he was wearing a CHS hat and thought immediately this guy will fit in. It's exciting to welcome new people to the town of Big Sandy, especially when they are excited to be here. Layne told me, "We've already met quite a few people. It's awesome. It's wonderful. It feels right. I think this will be a good move for our family." He was born and raised on a grain and potato farm in South Eastern Idaho. "My...
Laverna McGrew, wife of Pastor William McGrew of the Van Orsdel United Methodist Church in Havre, Montana has been filling the pulpit of the United Methodist Church of Big Sandy for six months since February 18, 2018. She travels to Big Sandy every Sunday to have Sunday services with the congregation here. William and Laverna have three children and have lived in 14 states including Montana. She said she loves the little community in Big Sandy. Laverna struggled this summer with a number of...
Patrick and Briana Fields are owners of Fields Tree Service a new business in town this summer. He became a tree trimmer right after graduating from Big Sandy High School. His specialty is hazardous removal of dead limbs and pruning. "I'm qualified. I've been trained and certified to work around voltage lines. He worked for Associated Yard Risk and was a journeyman tree trimmer with that company for five years. "They had a contract with Northwestern and we did all sorts of stuff." He now has...
There are three senior swimmers and like other sports, seniors take their last walk around the pool. This year we have three seniors, Jenna Leader, Sophia Reichelt, and Lainey Gregory. A senior in swimming doesn't mean they are seniors in high school only that they have enough years of swimming in to be celebrated as a Senior. Jenna, has been swimming for 14 years. Yes, 14 years! She started swimming in Fort Benton for seven years before swimming in Big Sandy for seven years. Coach Travis...
The Cultural Center is having art workshops now before the beginning of school. Generous friends of the program have donated funds to give an award of $5.00 to each person age 8 through adult who will spend an hour or so creating some artwork. Talent is optional, the only requirement is to have fun creating. The Maximum number of participants is 40. Parents/adults are especially encouraged to get involved. The first 10 elementary students will receive a $5 gift certificate for a children’s menu meal at Fuddrucker’s of Great Falls. In addition,...
Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach reported another big infrastructure activity for the water improvement project will be taking place in Big Sandy. "We are replacing a number of old water mains and a bunch of bad fire hydrants. Right now, there is a bunch of dead ends in the current system. This will allow them to be connected to a loop system. Sometimes currently there is stale water out there towards the ends. This will increase the water flow and help with our fire hydrant flows as well." "Our bulk...
Big Sandy Pharmacy, located at 158 Johannes Avenue, has recently installed a secure drug disposal box. This box allows people in and around the community to dispose of unwanted and unneeded prescriptions and controlled substances in a manner that is both anonymous and safe for the environment. It is as simple as walking into the pharmacy during business hours and placing the pill bottles in the disposal bin. Unused prescription and over the counter medicines pose a risk to our families, communit...
Rachel Baumgarn Senior Coordinator of the Big Sandy Blood Draw reported a very successful Red Cross Blood Draw in Big Sandy July 25th. Their goal was to reach 25 units. Thirty-four people scheduled appointments with 30 eligible donors. They had 10 first time donors. Shandell Sando reached her one gallon mark, Michael Yeyerlehner 2 gallons donated, and Reggie Jappe has donated three gallons. Jessica Roth was volunteering to be the Junior Coordinating for this blood draw, and for that she was...
No one really knows how long the O-Mok-See has existed. It is believed to originate with the Blackfoot Tribe and means "riding the big dance." Although it may have originated there, what it is now more resembles the Spanish-American word for "rodeo". In the state of Montana, it was formally organized in 1947. It is a sport of pattern horse racing. Every O-Mok-See event alternates the races from the event before using a wide variety of skills. There are over 79 skilled races. The next O-Mok-See...
Kelly Haaland was born in Havre, but grew up on a farm 6 miles north of in Inverness. He went to school in Inverness from kindergarten till his sophomore year. Then he switched schools and went to Rudyard his junior and senior years. After graduation, he went to Northern for two years and graduated in Diesel technology. After graduation, he returned to the farm to work with his father. Kelly's wife Jody (Wilson) grew up in Big Sandy. She is the granddaughter of Lou and Doris Lawrence, former own...
The swim meet in Fort Benton is a two-day event like every swim meet competition weekend. This meet had 380 participants from 12 towns. The city park is scattered with tents, and around the edge numerous trailers with air conditioning, which is really good because at 92 degrees it was hot. They announced from the speakers that some of the swimmers were lightheaded after their event an indication they were dehydrated. They encouraged everyone to make sure they were drinking plenty of water and a...
Vance and Jean Butler still farm at the home place. They still live in the house built by Wesley for his wife Mary in 1913. It's been remodeled of course, but it was and still is an amazing home. So much family connected to the house. Farming stills runs in his blood too. He still loves it. "It's a good way of life. It's a struggle at times with commodity prices being where there at, but it's better than a 9-5, I think. I'd rather work 5-9. I work till it's dark." When you ask why he still likes...
July 21st is the day to be in Big Sandy for the 7th annual pig roast. Pep's is donating the pig and the sides. The Grocery Store will be donating the water. The best trick competition will be later in the day. All of this including awards for tricks will be located at the Big Sandy Skatepark next to the Big Sandy Swimming Pool. Cash and prizes are being added from local business and some far away sponsors. Josh Danreuther said, "Everyone has been really cool and supportive." Music to the day's a...
On July 1, 2018 Father Pete retired after 41 years of service to the Big Sandy, Box Elder, and Rocky Boy Catholic Churches. Attending a potluck supper in honor of Father Pete, found those in attendance emotional about his leaving. Some just teared up when asked what he meant to them and couldn't give a verbal response. I was given a quote by one of the women who said it was one of her favorite quotes. It was by Sister Theresa and it says, "we can't all do great things, but we can all do small...
Celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the Wild and Scenic Rivers Act, the Friends of the Missouri Breaks Monument (FMB) and the Bureau of Land Management (BLM) sponsored the 1st Missouri Breaks Triathlon. The event used the Missouri River as the backdrop. It was designed to be a family or group event just to celebrate. Although the triathlon started with a 20-mile canoe/kayak, then a 3.4-mile foot race, and finished with a 20-mile cycling portion, it didn't need to be completed solo. It could...
Ronald Baumann opened Complete Small Engine Repairs. "I work on everything; ATV, UTV, Go-carts, motorcycles, and compact tractors." His business card says he works on all makes and brands of outdoor power equipment. Anything to do with outdoor power equipment. He is certified in 2-cycle and 4-cycle engines, but his specialty is 2-cycle engines. He has over 41 years of experience. Bob Quinn who was in his shop said, "so it's not his first rodeo." He's been keeping busy. Current business hours...
As you approach the pool you can hear lots of children's laughter, finding it surprising that only eight children are swimming. Thirty-two children took lessons this summer at the Big Sandy Swimming pool, but for each session, there were eight children and four teachers. Connie Reichelt, Jaylyn Cline, Audrey Sipler, and Lainey Gregory were the swimming teachers this summer making it two students per teacher this season. I watched them playing and diving to the bottom of the pool to pick up...
Hope Gasvoda, daughter of Peter Gasvoda of Big Sandy, and Marla Olson of Havre, will be attending a Medicine and Health Care Summit at Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore, MD July 27-August 4. She was nominated by her shop teacher Brianna Bernhardt to attend the prestigious conference and was accepted. Hope will get to experience a wide range of different medical and health experiences. Just staying at and receiving real-life experiences at a great medical school is impressive but she will...
Jack Gollehan, son of Rob and Mindy Gollehan currently residing in Helena, but who lived in Big Sandy a year ago, is well on his way to a career as an artist. Although he is just a six-grader next fall he has already won two major art awards. First, he won second in the postcard contest for United Way state wide. The theme was Change the World The United Way and he drew pictures of some recycling efforts, a van with Meal on Wheels on the side, and a building that says' "educate everyone". His...
There were enough cars in the parking lot one would have thought it was a big game, and it was for the little ones playing. Moms and dads, grandparents, and even great grandparents were there sitting on the bench watching and yelling, "Run, run, run!" "Good hustle." "Run to third." "Good job pumkin!" The kids have on matching T-shirts and love being in the dugout ready to hit the ball and the parents are sitting in the stands waiting for their child to come to bat. The reason they bring their...
Big Sandy will be having a town party at the T-Ball fields next to the grade school on July 4th starting at 6:00 or 7:00?? The concession stand will be serving hamburgers and brauts for $5.00. The money goes to supporting the town party. The Mint is suppling all of the hamburger, Peps is donating all the brauts, and the Grocery store will be donating everything else. All three businesses support the party because they can and because they believe celebrating community and connecting with each...
Erica Chauvet, is the only veterinary we have in Big Sandy. Says she's just "a girl that likes people, helping animals, and loves her family and God. Countryside Veterinary Service is located on the Chauvet Ranch just outside of Big Sandy. She told me that she probably always wanted to be a veterinary, because "growing up on a cattle ranch with cattle, horses, my own farm flock of sheep, dogs, cats and etc. really had an influence on me." Erica went to undergraduate for four years at Carroll...