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1 Years ago March 18, 1926 Lutheran services held at the Sunshine school house on Friday evening and at the Larson school house on Sunday were reported well attended, with strong participation from surrounding families. Wednesday evening of last week, one hundred eight neighbors gathered at the home of Mr. and Mrs. Otto Finke for a lively charivari. After the good old “tin pan” band had exhausted its music, guests were invited into the house carrying well-filled lunch baskets. The bride and groom were presented with a number of fine gif...
Each year on March 17, communities across the United States — and even here in Montana — mark St. Patrick’s Day with a sea of green, festive gatherings, and a nod to Irish heritage. But behind the shamrocks, parades, and cheerful celebrations lies a history that stretches back more than 1,500 years. A Saint, Not Just a Symbol St. Patrick himself was not originally Irish. He was born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century. As a teenager, he was kidnapped by Irish raiders and brought to Ireland, where he was enslaved as a shepherd. Durin...
1 Years ago March 11, 1926 Part of the Agricultural Department program at the Big Sandy High School was to secure better seed grain for farmers of the community, an effort aimed at improving crop quality after several difficult seasons. An Old Time dance was held at the M.G. Lidstone Ranch in honor of the Old Timers. The event was well attended and greatly enjoyed. Music was furnished by Leslie Miller and Richard Bush, and the floor was reported to be excellent. Among those attending Ladies Aid at Kenilworth were Mrs. Oscar Marty, Mrs. A....
Sunday, March 1st twenty players met at the Mint family room to compete in six rounds of pinochle. Roberta Whetham had the highest score of 8210 earning her $25. Second high of 7360 went to Rebecca Wiehe giving her $20. Frank Moravec earned $15 for third high score of 6300. Ending with 6290 for the day was Dan Leader for fourth and $10. In fifth with 6050 was Joe Landinger for $5. Linda Schwarzbach had low of 3460 for $5! Maggie Cline and David Schwarzbach had the highest round score of 1760 followed closely by Roberta and Frank with their...
Big Sandy Theater Company will be performing two showings of the Musical Adventures of Oliver Twist this weekend. The showings are on Friday at 7 PM and Saturday at 3 PM at the Big Sandy High School auditorium. The show features 35 local actors of all ages and experience levels. It is the second musical put on by the theater company since it started putting on shows in 2018. Dianna Keane, who has been co-directing plays with the theater since the start, describes this weekend’s show: ...
1 Years ago March 4, 1926 Ludwig Bierwagon was out last week looking for a horse that had strayed away from home. Mr. and Mrs. Gillespie of Colony Bay, Mr. and Mrs. Martin Bakke and family of Big Sandy, and W.L. Kulbeck and family were Sunday guests at the home of D.E. Stroup. Last Friday evening a surprise party was held at Percy Remington’s, the occasion being his birthday. About 80 guests were present with well laden baskets of lunch. The guests were entertained with instrumental and vocal selections. Cards and dancing were also enjoyed a...
Each spring, as many Montanans prepare to set their clocks ahead one hour, a familiar question arises: Why do we still observe Daylight Saving Time? While it may feel like a modern inconvenience — especially when we lose that hour of sleep — the history behind the time change stretches back more than a century and is rooted in practicality, economics, and even wartime strategy. The concept of shifting time to better match daylight is often mistakenly credited to Benjamin Franklin. In 1784, Franklin jokingly suggested that Parisians could sav...
10 years years ago, on March 21, 1944, the United States Army sent a B-17 Flying Fortress loaded with with 250 pound demolition bombs to drop with the mission of saving Miles City, Montana. The rescue operation didn’t involve repelling foreign invaders, despite the fact that the operation took place at the height of World War II. The bomber crew was sent to break up ice jams on the Missouri River, which were backing up the flow of water and causing flooding in the region including Miles City. According to the National Weather Service, M...
1 Years ago February 25, 2026 Late February of 1926 found Big Sandy alive with everyday happenings and community notes. B.H. Welty announced plans to prepare a new building for dances after the previous hall was lost to fire, assuring residents that a place for social gatherings would soon return. The Big Sandy High School basketball team suffered its first district loss at the hands of Belt, though the boys were commended for their grit after a season plagued by illness. E.B. Newhall returned from a trip to Portland, reporting that prices...
Sunday, February 15th sixteen players met at the Mint family room to compete in seven rounds of pinochle. Joe L had the highest score of 7450 earning him $25. Second high of 7410 went to Dick T giving him $20. Tammie S earned $15 for third high score of 7380. Ending with 7330 for the day was Ken D for fourth and $10. In fifth with 7240 was Linda S for $5. Mary L had low of 5150 for $5! Dick and Ken had the highest round score of 1880. Lowest was a negative 170 for Karla W and Bill K. Next plays will be March 1st, 15th & 29th, 2026 (always...
1 Years ago February 18, 1926 Neighbors gathered for birthdays and meetings as winter life continued across Big Sandy and the surrounding countryside. Christ Johnson hosted a large birthday gathering, while the Ladies Aid Society met at the home of Mrs. W.L. Kulbeck, with more than thirty-five present and busy preparing garments for an upcoming bazaar. An invitation arrived from the Fort Benton Masonic Lodge to attend a Washington memorial program. Wilbur Livers returned from a six-week visit to Indiana and reported that farming conditions...
Sheldon the Traveler is off to a wonderful start on his journey around our community and beyond. His first big outing took him to the Cowboy Hall of Fame Banquet Dinner, where he was the special guest of Stan and Nancy Weaver. Sheldon enjoyed the lively evening filled with stories, laughter, and a celebration of our western heritage. Not long after, Sheldon headed out on a true Montana adventure with Eleanor, Alexandra and Oliver Weaver. During their outing, Sheldon helped them spot several...
Each February, Americans pause to observe Presidents Day—a holiday that invites us to reflect on the leadership, sacrifices, and vision of those who have served as President of the United States. Officially known as Washington’s Birthday, the day was first established to honor George Washington, the nation’s first president and a central figure in the founding of the country. Washington’s birthday, February 22, became a federal holiday in 1879. Over time, the observance broadened in public meaning to include Abraham Lincoln, whose birthda...
Every February 14, hearts appear in shop windows, candy boxes line the counters, and handwritten notes find their way into backpacks and mailboxes. Valentine’s Day, now synonymous with romance and affection, has roots that stretch far deeper than chocolate and roses. The holiday is named for St. Valentine, a figure—or possibly several figures—shrouded in legend. One popular story traces Valentine’s Day to a Roman priest in the third century who secretly performed marriages for young couples when Emperor Claudius II banned weddings, believi...
There’s a new face around town, and it’s getting ready to hit the road. This week, the pharmacy along with the Mountaineer are introducing its very own Travel Mascot—a friendly turtle puppet named Sheldon the Traveler, designed to go wherever our community goes. Whether it’s a family vacation, a weekend at Grandma’s, a school trip, a hunting camp, or a quick getaway to the next town over, Sheldon is ready to tag along and collect stories from near and far. The idea was sparked by a beloved l...
1 Years ago February 11, 1926 Christ Johnson hosted a large number of neighbors Friday night in honor of his birthday. The Ladies Aid Society met at the home of Mrs. W.L. Kulbeck, with about thirty-five present. Mrs. Kulbeck distributed material for garments as members prepared for their bazaar. A daughter was born to Mr. and Mrs. Tyke Willis of Eskay. The local Masonic Lodge received an invitation from the Fort Benton Lodge to attend a Washington memorial program. Wilbur Livers returned from a six-week visit to Indiana and reported farming...
1 Years ago February 4, 1926 Weather headlines led the news as the U.S. Weather Bureau reported one of the warmest Januarys on record, with Great Falls experiencing unseasonably mild temperatures. Travel and social life continued briskly—Edward Boettcher made a trip to Great Falls and returned with a new car, while the Sunshine Ladies Aid met at the home of Mrs. W.L. Kulbeck, busy sewing garments and planning a future bazaar. Illness touched the community as Miss Dorothy Morefield filled in at school for her mother, who was ill with p...
On Jan. 18th, eighteen players showed up at the Big Sandy Mint for 6 rounds of Pinochle. Here are the game results: 1st was Linda S. with a score of 7046, winning her $25.00. 2nd place was Dave S. with a score of 6470, winning him $20.00. 3rd place went to Jessica S. and Charlene S. with the same score of 5970, earning them $12.50 each. 4th place was Dan L. with a score of 5330, earning him $5.00. 5th place (low score of the day) was Tammy with a score of 2430, gaining her $5.00 pay-in back. High hand of the day was 1430, played by Kenny D....
1 Years ago January 1926 During Ford National Show Week, the showrooms of Giebel & Mahood, Big Sandy’s Ford dealers, were expected to be among the busiest places in town. The week-long event featured what was described as the greatest exhibit yet presented by the Ford Motor Company. A full line of improved Ford cars was on display, along with new trim lines and special equipment, including windshield wipers, wings, top boots, and gypsy curtains. Ford trucks and Fordson tractors were also exhibited, highlighting both industrial and a...
January 8, 2026, Great Falls, MT- In the wake of a record-setting year and nearly six decades of cultural leadership, the C.M. Russell Museum announces that tickets for The Russell 2026 will go on sale January 12, 2026. The annual Western art auction and cultural weekend will take place March 19–21, 2026, in Great Falls, Montana. The event continues the museum's tradition of honoring the legacy of Charles M. Russell while offering new opportunities for collectors, visitors, and the public to e...
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame will celebrate the 18th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame Saturday, February 14, at the Heritage Inn in Great Falls. The inductees were chosen from a field of candidates nominated by the general public. Inductees will be recognized for their contributions to the history and culture of the state of Montana. Now is the time to register for the Inductee Recognition Ceremony Brunch, which begins at 10:30 a.m. to celebrate the accomplishments and lasting legacies of the inductees to the Montana...
1 Years ago January 28, 1926 Winter in 1926 found Big Sandy residents as active as ever. Carl Duetschman chauffeured the Big Sandy bowling team to Havre, where competition proved rough. Henry Hurd, one of Big Sandy’s strongest bowlers, was reportedly “off” that day, offering plenty of alibis but little satisfaction to the reporter. Community life remained lively, with reminders not to miss Mimi Milli dancing the original Charleston at the Grand on February 1. Everett Brewer shipped a carload of horses to Blue Earth, Minnesota, while weeke...
On January 4th, 16 pinochle players showed up for an afternoon of six rounds of Pinochle. Roberta Whetham won 1st place, gaining her $25.00 with her score of 7630. Second place went to Dan Leader with a score of 7390, winning him $20.00. Third place went to Jessica Siestema with her score of 7030, winning her $15.00. 4th and 5th places went to Charlene Silvan and Kenny Darlington with the same scores, each earning $5.00, each having a score of 6120. Low score went to Mary Landinger, getting her $5.00 back with a score of 3990. Next playing...
On January 7, 1918, the Northern Montana Bank opened a brand new building in Big Sandy. The new building was erected on the site currently occupied by the Glacier Bank in Big Sandy. There has been a bank on the corner of Main Street in Big Sandy for 108 years last week. The bank itself predated the new building by several years. In 1910, Big Sandy was growing rapidly, aided by land grant programs for homesteaders. In addition, a number of businesses had sprouted up in town. CJ McNamara and...
1 Years ago January 21, 1926 A fast and spirited game of basketball entertained a large Wednesday night crowd at the community hall as Company L faced the Big Sandy Independents. The visiting team claimed a 35–22 victory, though local fans enjoyed standout shooting from Raymond Flaherty. M.P. Moe served as referee for the contest. The column also offered thoughtful commentary on life in Montana, reminding readers that while the state had endured difficult times, including bank closures, many who traveled elsewhere returned with a renewed a...