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  • 4-H SENIOR SPOLIGHT Elise Hartley

    Elise Hartley|Oct 8, 2025

    To me 4-H is community, a way for kids to get involved and learn the importance of service and teamwork. 4-H is a chance to practice leadership and be unafraid to volunteer your work; and do a good job. My favorite 4-H memory was this year during our chuckwagon shift at fair. We had so much fun dramatizing everything and proving that just because you are expected to work doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. And getting all the young club members out on the dance floor during the dance prior to the fair. 4-H taught me how to step confidently int...

  • Mystery Marker on 8 Mile Bench: Unearthing the Missouri River Commission's Legacy

    Erik Seitsma|Oct 1, 2025

    A few weeks ago, the Mountaineer ran an article on the Cross that showed up on 8-Mile Bench sometime around 20 years ago. The goal of the article was to illicit from our reader community any information we could glean about the mysterious monument. In the same piece, I mentioned another curiosity associated with the monument: a steel pipe with a cap 6 or 7 feet from the cross. On the cap is emblazoned the words: Missouri River Commission. In the center is a triangle with U.S. on either side. The...

  • Sorghum Sudangrass and Alfalfa Q &A to the Chouteau County Extension Office

    Tyler Lane|Sep 24, 2025

    Citations come from Emily Glunk/Meccage (MSU Extension Forage Specialist) and Dennis Cash (Retired MSU Extension Forage Specialist). When is it safe to hay or graze my alfalfa in the fall? Harvest or graze the alfalfa after several days of consecutive killing frost, once the plant is dormant and will not be attempting to regrow before the winter (Glunk, 2017). What does it take for a killing frost in alfalfa? Usually it takes about 3 days of less than 24 degrees to get the plant to shut down. (Meccage, 2018) How do I minimize the chance of...

  • From One Hour to a Lifetime: The Unbreakable Yanci Phillips Turns 10

    Erik Seitsma|Sep 17, 2025

    Yanci Anna Phillips turned 10 years old on Monday, September 15th. Little Yanci is Big Sandy's miracle girl, after doctor's told Victor & Karli Philips that the baby wouldn't survive more than an hour after her birth. After defying the odds and living for several days, Yanci repeatedly proved doctors wrong when they gave her days, then weeks, then months, and repeatedly predicted her passing. Now the sassy 10-year old is in school, is well liked by her peers, and is doted on by her family....

  • Big Sandy's Lone Demolition Star Shines at Chouteau County Fair

    Erik Sietsema|Sep 3, 2025

    The 2025 Chouteau County Fair Demolition Derby went off with a bang. This year's car crunchers featured a lone Big Sandy representative. Jarret Jacobi kicked off his rookie season as a derby driver on August 16th behind the wheel of a 1976 Cadillac. The outing was a learning experience for Jarret, who already has made updates to his car based on his experience and is preparing for his second derby in Havre on the 20th of September. Jacobi described the experience: "It was an adrenaline rush,...

  • Kristie Rutledge loves serving the community

    Zoe Merrill|Aug 27, 2025

    Kristie Rutledge is a certified LPA (Lay Pastoral Associate) and serves the Christ Lutheran Church. Kristie is one of those wonderfully blessed individuals who the Lord touched as a young child. She said, “I would say faithful family (is the reason she knows the Lord.) I was born and raised in a First Communion, confirmation, and youth group, attending multiple Lutheran churches, but my family never went to church. They made it available. I was to be baptized, and I don’t remember if they sai...

  • Mental Health and back to School

    Your Accidental Journalist|Aug 20, 2025

    Supporting kids, parents, and staff As summer winds down and the school bell gets ready to ring again, families in our rural community are feeling the familiar mix of excitement and nerves that comes with the start of a new school year. While fresh notebooks, sharpened pencils, and new shoes are part of the tradition, so are the emotional adjustments, both for children and their parents. In rural towns like ours, back-to-school transitions can be uniquely challenging. Many children face long...

  • SENIOR CENTER TIDBITS AND WEEKLY MENU

    Aug 20, 2025

    Week August 21 - Augsut 27 THURSDSAY - August 21 Meatloaf, potatoes, green beans, cookie FRIDAY – August 22 Goulash, corn, garlic toast, fruit salad MONDAY – August 25 Fish and chips, salad, ice cream TUESDAY – August 26 Sloppy Joe, corn, mixed fruit WEDNESDAY, Augsut 27 Grilled ham and cheese, tomato soup, cookie...

  • In the Garden

    Apr 9, 2025

    We may have spring now, but cooler weather is forecast this week. If you have carrots or parsnips in the garden, dig and use them now. They should be very tasty. As soon as you can, take pride in cleaning off any trash left or blown into the garden and haul it to the dumpster. Tumb weeds and plastic or paper seem to collect between shrubs and perennials. If weeds were missed last fall, remove them also. Deep mulches should be gradually removed from around perennials like rose bushes to let the soil warm up gradually. When the garden is cleared...

  • In the Garden

    Apr 2, 2025

    ( Editor’s Note: I’ve been hearing more people think they should plant a garden due to the increase in food prices. Murial wrote for the Mountaineer for many years and we thought it would be fun to honor her and reread her articles about gardening.) Perennials aren’t as critical to choose. You may want to plant them to enjoy for a year or two, and the investment isn’t so great. There are lots of perennials that will live and become larger and more beautiful every year and are perfectly hardy in our cold climate. When selecting trees, shrubs,...

  • 65th Anniversary/Family Reunion

    Jul 10, 2024

    A 65th Wedding Anniversary Celebration of interest to many in the local community was celebrated on June 30th 2024, at Grimshaw, Alberta, Canada, when Paul and Frances Bogner reached this special milestone. They were married on June 1, 1959, at Big Sandy, Montana, in the old St. Margaret Mary Catholic Church, by Father Patrick Devlin. Paul is the son of Cornelius and Mary Bogner, formerly of Fort Benton, where Paul graduated from Fort Benton High School in 1953. Frances is the daughter of...

  • An Incredible Life

    Zoe Merrill|May 1, 2024

    This weekend, I was again reminded of the value of a person's life at a funeral and realized I must express what made it so incredible. First, Don Heikkila was an incredible man. Second, his family was incredible-one in a million-and third, his staff were incredible as well. What makes for an incredible life? Don Heikkilla was born with Cerebral Palsy and Mental Retardation, so his life was not easy. He was always required to use a wheelchair. At the age of twelve, he was moved into an...

  • Love that small town vibe

    Emiene|Nov 15, 2023

    I have recently thought a lot about my past and where I grew up. It was a lot like it is here, in Big Sandy. I love small towns, but I know not everyone does. Seeing how many people live in small towns made me curious. Some of this research comes from the internet, so take it for what it’s worth, like that old commercial used to say, “If it’s on the internet, it must be true, right?!” Well, we all know that’s not necessarily true. Did you know that according to the internet, Big Sandy is not a “small town”? Because of its population, i...

  • Do you love Big Sandy or find fault

    Zoe Merrill|Aug 9, 2023

    It’s so interesting to listen to people talk about where they live. Sometimes they mention their neighbors or friends as the reason they love it here. Sometimes it’s the weather that makes them smile. People who have lived in larger populated areas say they love the slower pace of life. People are more nice. They smile and say hello. Our town pulls together when one of our own is hurt. It’s understood that we are in this together. Everybody seems to know everybody’s business, but we’re glad when the chips are down. When something affects one of...

  • Senior Center Menu

    Nov 9, 2022

    THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 10th Homemade Chicken Casserole with Garden Salad and Fruit plus drinks FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 11th VETERANS DAY!!! Short Program with Music, Prayer, and Pledge VETERANS DAY SPECIAL SPONSORED BY AGRI-PRAIRIE INSURANCE VETERANS MEALS ARE FREE EVERYONE ELSE - $12 Ham, candied yams, salad, green bean casserole and a variety of pies Cherry, Pumpkin and more MONDAY, NOVEMBER 14th Creamy Cheesy Broccoli Soup with BLT on Grilled Parmesan Garlic Bread Pumpkin chocolate Cake plus drinks TUESDAY – NOVEMBER 15th BBQ beef on a hoagie bun, b...

  • Family life work intergration

    Tara Smith|Aug 17, 2022

    Tara Smith who writes Table Talks on Facebook grew up in Ekalaka, Montana on her family ranch (established in 1908). After high school she went to college at Montana State University in Bozeman, where she got a bachelor’s of science in math education. Tara then went to teach high school math at Hulett, WY for three years. During that time she also got a master’s degree in math education. In 2017, her dad suddenly and unexpectedly died. Tara was eight months pregnant with their first child. In the span of six weeks, her dad passed away, she qui...

  • Early Big Sandy Settlers

    Erik Sietsema|Mar 3, 2022

    Last week, I spent some time reading the earliest issue of the Mountaineer that is included in the online database of newspapers. I recounted a few of the articles for context on just how old the paper was before diving into the front page editorials opining on the future of the town. One of the articles I touched on was about the Heiberg family arriving in Big Sandy from Grand Island, Nebraska to homestead west of town. Friday evening, I got a call from Jay Warrall. He spotted the Heiberg name...

  • Senior Center News

    Feb 9, 2022

    No Menu Avaiable at Press time! Recipe of the week: Poor Man’s Stroganoff Ingredients 1 (12 ounce) package egg noodles 1 pound ground beef 1 teaspoon Greek seasoning (such as Cavender’s®) salt and ground black pepper to taste 1 teaspoon vegetable oil 1 (16 ounce) package sliced fresh mushrooms 1 pint sour cream Directions Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Cook egg noodles in the boiling water, stirring occasionally, until cooked through but firm to the bite, about 5 minutes; drain. Heat a large skillet over medium-high heat...

  • Green Acres

    Tyler Lane|Feb 2, 2022

    The Montana State University Pesticide Education Program is offering a training in Fort Benton to assist farm applicators in safely managing pests with phosphine fumigants. Some common examples of products containing aluminum or magnesium phosphide include Fumi-cel, Fumitoxin, Magtoxin, Phostoxin, and Weevil-cide. The fumigant training session is offered on March 24th in Fort Benton at the Ag Center located at 1205 20th street. Four private or commercial applicator credits will be available. The session begins at 8:00 a.m. with fumigant...

  • Senior Center News

    Jan 26, 2022

    Wednesday, January 26- Baked Chicken, Paresan Noodles, veggies, salad, and dessert. Thursday, January 27- Taco Salad and Chocolate cake. Friday, January, 28- Chicken Noodle Soup and Cornship salad. Monday, January 31- Creamy Penne with chicken, broccoli with cheese, and fruit. Tuesday, February 1- Chicken Alfredo with broccoli, garlic toast, slad, and Peach Cobbler. Recipe of the week: -Gourmet Mushroom Risotto Ingredients 6 cups chicken broth, divided 3 tablespoons olive oil, divided 1 pound portobello mushrooms, thinly sliced 1 pound white...

  • Senior Center News

    Jan 19, 2022

    Wednesday, January 19- Baked Potato Bar and Dessert. Thursday, January 20- Cheeseburgers, baked means and Brownies. Friday, January, 21- Clam Chowder, Green salad, and desserrt. Monday, January 24- Chicken Shawarma, chips, and dessert. Tuesday, January 25- Pork Roast, potatoes, veggie, and salad. Recipe of the week: -Cloud Bread with Italian Herbs Ingredients 2 eggs, separated ¼ teaspoon baking powder 2 tablespoons cream cheese, softened 2 teaspoons Italian herb blend 1 pinch salt Directions Preheat the oven to 300 degrees F (150 degrees C)....

  • Senior Center News

    Jan 12, 2022

    Wednesday, January 12- Pork Roast wiht mashed potatoes, veggies, Jello, and doughnuts. Thursday, January 13- Meatloaf, corn, baked potoates, Broccoli/Cauliflower salald, and Birthday cake. Friday, January, 14- Hot Pastrami sandwich, fries, and essert. Monday, January 17- Fish burger with lettuce, toamto, coleslaw, and pudding. Tuesday, January 18- Chicken & waffels, fruit and juice. Recipe of the week: -Fashioned Hamburger Stew Ingredients 2 tablespoons olive oil 1 pound ground beef 1 medium onion, diced 2 large russet potatoes, peeled and dice...

  • Senior Center News

    Jan 5, 2022

    Wednesday, January 5- BBQ Pulled Pork sandwaich, Fried Zucchini, and coleslaw. Thursday, January 6- Beef Roast, Fried potaotes, squah, Jello, and Dessert. Friday, January, 7- Chili with cornbread, and dessert. Monday, JAnuary 10- Chicken Fajitas, chips, and dessert. Tuesday, January 11- Beef Stew, roll, pasta salad, and dessert. Recipe of the week: Creamy Chicken Florentine Pasta Ingredients 2 cups uncooked elbow macaroni 3 cups shredded cooked chicken 1 cup shredded Swiss cheese 1 cup shredded mozzarella cheese ½ cup mayonnaise ¼ cup minced f...

  • Senior Center News

    Dec 22, 2021

    Thursday, December 23- French Dip Sandwiches, French fries, and Peach Cobbler. Friday, December 24- CLOSED Monday, December 27- Dorito Chicken casserole, veggies, fruit, and pudding. Tuesday, December 28- Polish & Sauerkraut, mashed potatoes, veggies, Pea slad, and dessert. Wednesday, December 29- Chef Salad and brownies. Recipe of the week: Favorite Old Fashioned Gingerbread Ingredients ½ cup white sugar ½ cup butter 1 egg 1 cup molasses 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour 1 ½ teaspoons baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground ginger...

  • Senior Center News

    Dec 15, 2021

    Thursday, December 16- Crab Sandwich, chips, and Apple Crisp. Friday, December 17- $10.00- Christmas Dinner, Black Forest Ham, Hash Brow bake, Green Bean Cassreole, Fruit, salad, and Jello salad. Monday, December 20- Chicken breast sandwich with lettuce and tomato, cheese, onion, Macaroni salad, and dessert. Tuesday, December 21- Beef Stroganoff, Green beans, and Frog Eye salad. Wednesday, December 22- Chicken Stir Fry, Coleslaw and dessert. Recipe of the week: Pecan Pie BarsIngredients 3 cups all-purpose flour ½ cup white sugar ½ teaspoon salt...

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