January 3, 2018...We discovered that the Montana Department of Health and Human Services budget was cut by $49 million. Some programs in Chouteau County were cut completely in the Office of Public Assistance. Programs being affected Suppled Nutritional Assistance, TANF, and CHIP. Private First-Class Christopher Stiles, US Marine Corps was home visiting for Christmas.

January 10...Brady Pleninger, Travis Pegar, Abriana Blanion, and Alicia Bjornstad studied, interviewed and wrote an article about the community's standpoint on the four-day school week. Over the course of the article it was apparent that the four-day school week was liked by almost everyone.

Lippard-Clawiter Foundation pay out $71,015 to Big Sandy Community in grants.

Sevrine Heimbigner earns his Arrow of Light Award which is the highest award in Cub Scouts. He worked with Shelbi Darlington and Gifted and Talented where she was teaching using the STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math) projects. He did a recycling project where he gathered objects for the STEM projects.

There was an article about Chouteau County Roads, because by January 10th of last year there had already been major snow removal. Big Sandy is in Chouteau County's Road District 1. It has around 800 miles of gravel road. Chouteau County has three road districts totaling 2,400 miles of country roads. This makes Chouteau County one of the top counties in the state for the most gravel roads.

Jan 17...The 2nd annual Big Sandy American Legion Coyote Derby was held January 6th. The news of the Coyote derby has been all over the state this year with the Tribune carrying the story and the controversy over the hunt. Locally our perspective is different than it is other places. We have a large number of coyotes and their ability to kill livestock in the area is a common discussion point. The coyotes have lost their fear of man and tracks are often found in farm house's front yards. This year there were 40 teams up from 31 teams last year. There were 23 calling teams which means they used a variety of remote electronic calls that sounds like an animal in distress. Or they can use the traditional mouth call which makes similar sounds. There were also 17 open teams. Total coyotes killed were 191 and 34 porcupines as well.

Jan 24...Bailey Gasvoda knows that not many teens entered the contest sponsored by Hill County Electric but she still believes it was an honor to win. Hill County Electric has this contest each year and Bailey entered it by writing a four-page essay. This year the question was, "How can the electric cooperative reach out to the youth in our communities."

The 6th Annual Gun and Ammo Show in Big Sandy took place on January 26th, 27th, and 28th. The Gun Show was at the Jerry Martin Memorial Hall. Vance and Jean Butler along with their son Kirkley started the show six years ago because they thought "it was good for the community, because it gives everyone a chance to get a gun and some ammo." Vance said he, "enjoys visiting with old friends as well." There were 18 dealers from all around the state to sell their wares.

Chris and Judy Yirsa learned to love wine while they lived in wine country, California. It took them five years of research and experimenting but they were finally able to bottle wine for consuming. Although it is a hobby still, they aren't ruling out a small cottage business at some time.

January 31...The Hanson Family donates Pioneer Wagon to Big Sandy High school created by their father Gary Hanson. It will be permanently displayed at the High School.

Ken and Brenda Yirsa's Hairy Vetch Honey was awarded the First-Place award in their category in the world! Honey produced at Hopp-Illaid was the best honey of the world.

Sharon Sluggett Robertson spent her entire life living in and serving the community of Big Sandy. Sharon moved to Hamilton to be closer to her children and grandchildren. It was important to take a few minutes to acknowledge her commitment to all of us and we gave her a heart filled thank you, and sent her on her way to her next adventure.

February 7...L.I.F.T. opened its doors to four classes a day of exercise under the coaching of Julie Myers.

As Big Sandy Rotary club was gearing up for another Rotary Banquet it gave $2,400 to the Senior Center.

Big Sandy Activities is initiating an award available to all students 7th grade through 12th at the Big Sandy High School called the Power Award. Big Sandy Activities mottos is "empowering people". The Power award is designed to encourage all students to empower their classmates, teammates, and community members.

It was announced that inside the old Odd Fellows building there is RD recording studio.

February 14...The biggest news last year was the snow. It was noted on this day that we had 25 inches of snow on the level. All ditches were full, all roads a nightmare to keep open. Feeding of livestock became a community effort. It was noted that during this kind of years that we all pulled together to help each other.

The Jeff Reichelt Memorial Library is one year old. We celebrated the value of books and also celebrated that Erik Sietsema, who has always written short stories is in fact publishing a children's book.

The Pioneer Basketball team spent Friday lending a hand shoveling sidewalk and driveways for the community.

February 21...Dennis Hale, Nathan Merrill, Jeremy Echols, Paula Amsbaugh, Ashely Allderdice and Heather Pleninger finish the training for EMT services. According to Big Sandy's local Fire Chief Larry Ophus the local EMT (Emergency Medical Technicians) service "doesn't get the acknowledgement they deserve and are under appreciated". He says the fire department always has an opportunity to visit with everyone after their services have been provided, but the EMT personnel do their service and disappear. EMT's "provide out of hospital emergency medical care and transportation for critical and growing number of patients who access the emergency medical services system. EMT's have the basic knowledge and skills necessary to stabilize and safely transport patients."

February 28...Mayor Shaud Schwarzbach swore in the new City Council member, John Sheehy. Sheehy was appointed to Schwarzbach's seat on the city Council when he took over as Mayor.

March 2...Big Sandy sent 14 students to the Chouteau County Spelling Bee. Big Sandy Little Pioneers wrestlers, 13 grade school wrestlers, will participate in a local wrestling meet in Big Sandy. They are coached by Kyle Rodewald and Trent Cline.

Sheri Roth, Big Sandy's Post Master, says mail route carriers must make an attempt to deliver mail. An attempt, but at no time are they to put

themselves at risk. Safety is the number one point at every training conference. Having said that the three Big Sandy Mail Carriers have had quite a year this winter. Tina Cook, Barbie Martin and Dennis Young either smiled or laughed out loud when asked about this year's attempts.

March 7....The story was still about the winter weather. Deer had moved into town and we discussed on the wildlife were eating. "Deer can't break through to the forage. It's so crusty according to SGT. Gary Benson retired Montana State game warden.

March 14....The City Council honors Steve Stiles for serving Big Sandy as Mayor for 4 years. They presented Steve a plaque of appreciation and a Proclamation.

It was a brutal calving season. This winter has been a nightmare for everyone, but more so for those who are calving out in this weather. We all have a pretty good understanding of what it must be like, but not really because we aren't experiencing in it. We aren't in the thick of it. We aren't exhausted. We aren't struggling hourly with the elements of the weather, the freezing wind, the enormous drifts, or the temperamental cow. We aren't fighting for the life of a calf or it's mother. We aren't frozen to the bone after walking a mile and a half in below zero weather to move a cow to the shed, only to lose her. Finding a rancher in the house to interview was difficult because they are never in the house or if they are they're so tired they really don't want to talk about how their calving operation is going or are heading out to check on them again. "Animal husbandry is really important to me", said Larry Bitz. Every rancher cares deeply about their livestock.

March 21....Bob Nelson presented Connie Green the winner of the $3,000 at the 2018 Rotary Wild Safari Rotary Banquet.

High school presenters at the Reginal Science Fair were: Jessica Roth: "The Effects of Sodium Bicarbonate Concentration on the Growth Rate of Chlorella". Awards earned by Jessica US Navy, US Air Force, Ricoh Corporation Sustainability, My Alpha Theta Award, US Metric System Award, and First Place. Tyler Schwarzbach: "The Relationship Between Oil and Biodiesel Quality". Awards earned by Tyler US Navy, US AirForce, and ASU Walton Solutions Initiative awards and Second place. Jasmine Genereux: "The Effects of Gel Fire-retardant in the Regrowth of Plants". Award earned by Association for Women GEO scientists Award and third place. Cally : "Do Sunflowers Absorb Chemicals Efficiently Through the Process of Phytoremediation?" Grade School Presenters were: Reinhard Bold: "How Do Seed Treatments Affect Duclair Spring Wheat?" Awards earned by Reinhard Purple Ribbon, Broadcom Masters, Best Display, Best Presentation, and 2nd Place for Junior High. Severin Heimbigner "Sound Goes Tubular". Severin earned a Blue Ribbon.Hunter Moore: "Wifi: The Dangers to Plants". Hunter earned a Red Ribbon and Best Bibliography. Kadee Sternberg: "Make Abe Shiny again". Kadee earned a Red Ribbon.

The MobileSim Montana Project was in Big Sandy. They love education and gizmo's and gadgets. Simulation in Motion represent over a million dollars in gear and equipment per truck lab. The Leona M. And Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust completely funded the first year of the project for three labs at the cost of 4.6 million.

March 28....Trenton Butler was reappointed by Governor Bullock to serve on Montana Council on Developmental Disabilities.

April 4....The wind chill factor was zero and it was snowing out so the Easter Bunny asked Rotary if they would please move their annual Easter Egg Hunt indoors this year. She wanted to visit with the kids and felt it was too cold outside for the little ones. So, the annual Easter Egg Hunt was held inside city hall at 11:00 with Bob Nelson giving the count town. The fire alarm from a fire truck which usually triggers the start of the hunt, was missing so the entire community members started making the alarm noise themselves while the children went up to the tables. Every child was encouraged to take has much candy as they wanted and to take one of every toy the Easter Bunny brought with her.

The Big Sandy Barracudas, the Big Sandy Swim Team held its registration March 29 and during the Rotary Eater Egg Hunt held their 2nd Annual Barbeque.

April 11....Brad Moore resigning Big Sandy Superintendent resigned taking a new job at MSU-Northern. His new position is Director of Student Support Services. Kelly Haaland of Melstone High school has accepted a contract to serve as Big Sandy's New School Superintendent.

April 18....Margaret Grubb celebrates he 100 year young birthday.

The Big Sandy Education Foundation Awards grants to the Larry Brumwell and Big Sandy Health department, and Melanie Schwarzbach received a check for help to send students to the international Science Fair.

Thirteen Big Sandy FFA members attended the state convention in Bozeman.

April 25....Robert Lucke passed away April 21, 2018

There was a news business in town. Lisa Myers was excited to open a Kitchen Cabinet and Counter Top showcase in down town Big Sandy. And she knows her stuff. Lisa received her degree in Interior Design from the Montana State Great Falls, which is a two-year intensive study just in interior Design in 2008. She also has an Associate Kitchen and Bath Accreditation from NKBA (National Kitchen and Bath Association) which is a big deal.

Big Sandy Chamber of Commerce dissolved.

May 9....Big Sandy Music Department was successful at the State music festival.

Students at the F.E. Miley clean up Big Sandy on Earth Day.

May....16 In the spirit of the community caring for each other, Marlys Myers along with about 12 other community members have met and formed a new group called CSI-Big Sandy (Community Services and Improvement Big Sandy).

Big Sandy Rotary granted a small grant which allowed a committee of five to attend Building Active Communities Initiative (BACI) 2019 Action Institute, a conference to determine if it was possible to create safe walking paths in Big Sandy. Carla and Raymond Courtnage, Rhonda Works, Krystyl Kulbeck and Lorrie Merrill attend a two-day conference with a wide variety of professionals in attendance. The goal is for Big Sandy to have safe, accessible walking routes that connect neighborhoods, schools, parks, churches, business and other destinations.

May 23....Big Sandy High School of Graduation class of 2018 held their commencement ceremony graduating 13.

Politics took the front page with Brad Lotton, Paul Tuss, and Russ Temple making a run for Montana State Senate.

May 30....Memorial Day Celebration took place in Big Sandy. There was an article celebrating Robert Ray service, and whose life ended at 28 years. It was written by Dennis Nottingham and research by Lori Nottingham.

June 6....Brad Moore in his last interview as big Sandy Superintendent said, "It's hard, almost impossible to keep good teachers in Big Sandy." Montana has the lowest starting salary in the nation at $30,036, according to the National Education Association. The national average starting for teacher salary is $36,617, while the average teacher salary in America $58,950. In Montana, the average is $40,726 per year which is 13% below the national average. "We lose a high percentage to other states each year," Brad responded. In order to keep quality teachers in Montana Brad said, "they have to have a real tie to the community they are going to or to the state. There are some that would never leave the state like myself, I would never leave Montana."

June 13....Tyler Schwarzbach participated in an incredible opportunity that will affect his involvement in civic responsibility for the rest of his life. American Legion selected Big Sandy high school junior Tyler Schwarzbach to attend this year Montana American Legion Boys State.

Big Sandy High School hires Kelly Haaland to be Big Sandy Activity Director.

June 20....Big Sandy Pioneer Football Coach Chuck Terry held two football camps this summer. A total of 40 kids participated. One camp was designed for grade school kids. The other which was run from 1-5 everyday was for Jr High and Senior High boys who wanted to play football at Big Sandy this coming fall. There was running, kicking, and passing and catching the football. Eighteen grade school kids meet every morning between 9-12 o'clock dreaming of becoming the next Pioneer football player. "It was fun. I'll do it again next year." It was just concentrating on the basic of playing football and encouraging them with a lot of high fives and words of encouragement. Helping with the little kid's camp was Curt Stutz and a number of varsity players.

June 27....The Dearborn River southwest of Augusta flooded and destroyed the road making it necessary to close the road and evacuate campers and staff who were stranded. There was100 teenagers and 37 staff members attending the camp run by C Bar N Ministries. Tannin Bauman,

Malaysia Phillips, Evalina Wagoner, Amy, Mattie and Rusty Gasvoda, Kody Strutz, Lane DeMontiney, Tasha Allderdice, Jake Darlington, Kodi-Jo Phillips, Teegan Cochran , and Lainey Terry were resecude.

Grace Finke a senior this year at BSHS was selected to go to Girls State this month. She wanted to go "to expand my horizons on learning about the government and how things work. It's impressive.

July 4....Once again Big Sandy had a town party at the T-Ball.

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 and then four years of vet school at Washington State University in Pullman Washington.

July 11....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.

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 art will be on the postcard used by United Way. Lt. Governor Mike Cooney presented him with his award.

July 18....Big Sandy celebrated its 7th annual Pig Roast Skate Park Jam. The pig was roasted by Rob Gregory. 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 Skate Park 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 activity follows at Peps curtesy of two bands VTO and the WORKERS.

Ronald Bauman 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."

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 have been a tag team race anywhere along the event. However, Michael Wenger of Loma took 4th place and two from Big Sandy participated in the solo competition. Erik Sietsema who took 14th and Carissa Ray who placed 25th. Erik said he was fine with his placement. He just wanted to finish. Carissa Ray said, "the triathlon was well put on and difficult. It was very nice to have a race so close to Big Sandy. The upper Missouri River breaks is such a beautiful area to have a race and all the volunteers and coordinators were extremely supportive and great people.

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 things with great love." "And that's epitome of Father Pete. That is who he is."

July 25....Kelly Haaland New Superintendent welcomed to Big Sandy.

Butler Farm 105 years old.

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 now there is stale water out there towards the ends. This will increase the water flow and help with our fire flows as well."

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 unites. 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.

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.

August 8....Barracudas Big Sandy Swim Team are State Champs in Class A

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 eight years of experience.

August 15....Layne Taylor, new shop teacher, was trying to clean and reorganize Big Sandy High School Shop class. He was wearing an CHS's 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 said, "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."

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.

At the City Council meeting following the pledge and minutes Leslie Gregory, Manager of the City Pool, reported the pool heater had quit and needs to be replaced. Tim Labuda reported what was exactly wrong and gave some ideas on how to replace the heater. Further research will be done and the council gave initial agreement to purchasing a new heater and fixing it this fall so it can open next summer on time. Leslie asked if the pool could have longer hours next summer. It was also approved. And even though the water is cold it will be still be used by the school for PE for three weeks.

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 end of practice, and although I was a distance away from the team and couldn't hear every word the coaches were telling the boys, I did hear the word "proud" mentioned a number of times, by every single coach.

August 29....The Ladies in Purple, the Big Sandy Pioneer Volleyball team game out of the locker room with an attitude and smiles on their faces. It was communicating they were going to have fun! They huddled up, swaying back and forth then leaned in. They were ready!

Dani Norling is a Montana girl from Helena and this is her first teaching job, but she loves Big Sandy. "I loved the first week. It went by so fast. It was awesome." Dani teaches the 5th grade and has 11 students. I asked her what was her top priority and she said, "The biggest thing for me is building relationships with the students. Getting to know them, because, I don't think, especially with kids, you can't help them unless you get to know them. I want the children feel comfortable with me, so they can talk to me about anything. We spend all day together. I want to have a positive impact on them. So, I want to build a positive relationship with them. "

September 5....Concussions are often ignored, but not at Big Sandy High School. Every Coach, including assistants and volunteers are required to completed concussion protocol education. Football has changed many of their rules over the years to prevent head injuries and Coach Terry believes that safety of his players is the most important objective. The parents of every Big Sandy High School athlete have been given information of what to watch for in case of a head injury.

When asked why he does so many unique things, Bob Quinn laughed, and then said, "It's fun for me! It's my hobby. It's what I do for recreation. First, I try to have lots of ideas, in case some turn out." He laughs again. "In order to see if they'll turn out you've got to try them. So, I try as many as I am able." He walks to his dry land garden every day, sometimes more than once, "because it is part of his garden". He considers his whole farm his garden, and his research laboratory. He has leased out his farm. He said he's had his turn, now it is up to the next generation to have their turn. And he "wishes them great fun and success".

September 12....Charna Ophus Seibert Benefit Quilt Raffle will be held on September 20 Charna's Birthday. Charna's doctor told her to celebrate life as her cancer will be a struggle to overcome. Charna is celebrating and embracing life.

September 19....Thirty-eight students from Big Sandy High school travelled to Turner Montana to participate in the fourth Annual Tristan Billmayer Suicide/Awareness Walk. They left at 7:30 so they could participate in the day's activities starting with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Turner/Hogeland Lions Club. The day was kicked off with a pancake breakfast sponsored by the Turner/Hogeland Lions Club. Melanie Schwarzbach Big Sandy High School Student Council Advisor accompanied the 18- student told me there was a large crowd there.

Lianna Leimbigner, Scout leader, held a recruiting meeting to try and recharger the Boys Scouts in Big Sandy. She needs at least five kids before the Scouts can be re-charter. The Lions are for Kindergarteners, Tigers for 1st grade, Wolf's for 2nd grade, Bears for 3rd grade, and Webelelos for 4th & 5th grade. These are Dens and the Pack is all the Dens together.

September 26....Alan Merrill attended the National Farmers Union Fly-In in Washington DC where 350 farmers meet face-to-face with top Trump administration officials and members of Congress. Alan said, "these are desperate times." He visited, along with the rest of the Montana's delegation, a number of House and Senate Legislators offices including Congressman Greg Gianforte, Senator Steve Daines, and Senator Jon Tester. According to Merrill, "Our Montana Farmers Union fly-in was a big success in my opinion. They meet with top officials and the majority of the Senate and the House offices where we visited about agriculture issues. They all listened with great concern. The progression of the 2018 Farm Bill was our main priority". What seems to be the sticking point on the Farm Bill is SNAP (Supplemental Nutritional Assistance Program) with some legislators insisting that if someone isn't working they shouldn't get food stamps.

It's been five to six years since we have had Pioneer Cheerleaders. The uniforms the girls are wearing are 15 years old, but they like them. "We noticed, last year, that our school didn't have that much pride. It got bad last year. It was just really negative. We want our school to be the positive kind of school. We want it to show no matter how bad we are doing at a certain time you can build yourself up and still be happy about it. You can still have fun! " "We believe that cheerleaders can help the school do better." They had only cheered for one event at the time, but they saw a difference in the volleyball girls as they cheered for them. "The girls would look back at us and smile and give us thumbs up."

October 3....Tucker Taylor is the new social studies teacher at Big Sandy High School. He graduated from the University of Montana Western in Dillion with a Bachelor's Degrees in Modern History and Social Studies. Tucker has spent the last two years being a substitute teacher in Sheridan and Belgrade, Montana. While he was going to school at Western he was the Assistant Wrestling Coach at Dillion for four years. Last year was the Assistant coach at Belgrade.

October 10....Medical Guild Rummage Sale a Huge Success although total numbers not available, it is easily the best fund raiser for the Big Sandy Medical Center.

October 17....National 4-H week is October 7-13: It is a celebration of 102 years of youth support and development.

The 63rd Annual Chili Feed and firetruck rides started at 4:00. It was a huge success as the community strongly supports the Volunteer Fire Department. President of the Department is Dave Schwarzbach, Vice President is Colby Baumgam, Secretary is Rob Gregory, and Pete Jerrel is Treasurer. Although we celebrated an entire week it is appropriate to acknowledge each of them here: Chief Larry Ophus, Assistant Chief Tim Bahnmiller, Captains Joe Bahnmiller, Shane Cline, Ty Cline, Lance Cook, Ray Courtnage, Clay Dixon, Russel Dixon, Pete Jerrel, Kenneth Marten, Ted Pursley, Jim Robertson, and Scott Schwarzbach. Fire fighters Colby Baumgam, Adam Butler, Richie Cook, Shaylee Cook, Tyler Cook, Rod Courtnage, Scott Darlington, Pete Gasvoda, Rob Gregory, Chance Ophus, Garrit Ophus, Mason Ophus, Robin Pearson, Daren Ray, Jim Ray, Joe Robertson, Dave Schwarzbach, Shaud Schwarzbach, Roy Solberg, and Jack Thornton. Larry Ophus didn't have the final numbers but said it looked like they did better than they did last year. It is a 63-year annual celebration tradition that brings people home!

October24....Gwen Ophus, who is retiring, has been a part of Big Sandy's down town business for 35 years. She married Shane Ophus in 1984 and started her business down town in the Odd Fellows Hall. It cost $50-$75 a month to rent the front part of that building, and that was for everything! She opened her current shop in 1986. Gwen had a lot of people try to discourage her from opening her own shop, but those who had shops in town already weren't interested in hiring anyone. She always knew that evidentially she wanted to have her shop in her own house. Gwen said, "It worked so good to be here with the kids. So, many of my clients raised my kids. They would burp my kids while I was rolling their hair, combing it out or whatever.

Welcome Sean Janessa new pastor of the Christ Lutheran Church of Big Sandy and Havre's Messiah Lutheran. Sean told me, "The first time Vanessa and I worked in a church setting was in the Dominican Republic. We taught English there for nine months."

October 31....There was a Christmas Button contest this year. Jessica Jaramillo the art teacher at Big Sandy High school had her students design a button for this year's Christmas Stroll. The theme this year is Cowboy Christmas. The children's stroll buttons will show the art work of the four students from Big Sandy High school who won. Eli Dixon a seventh grader. Faith Gasvoda, Brooke Schwencke, and Lainey Gregory are all Juniors this year.

Now that the agriculture seasons as slowed and lots of the farm equipment put to bed one would think that farm injuries would be slowing down, but in truth farm accidents increase during the winter. Animals are the second largest cause of injuries. Slips and falls are the largest cause of worker related injuries.

Diane Scalese will be inducted into the National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame on Thursday November 1, 2018 at the Will Rogers Memorial Center in Fort Worth Texas. "The National Cowgirl Museum and Hall of Fame honors and celebrates woman, past and present, whose lives exemplify the courage, resilience, and independence that helped shape the American West, and fosters an appreciation of ideals and spirit if self-reliance they inspire."

November 7....Representing Big Sandy this summer at the Northern Ambassadors of Music European Tour will be Abriana Blanton who plays the flute, Grace Finke playing the alto or bass clarinet, Evert Works playing the trumpet and Audrey Sipler who also plays the flute. Last spring, they were nominated and chosen to be a part of the Ambassadors. They will be traveling to seven different countries including England, France, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Liechtenstein, and Germany.

Jeff Hull has come to Big Sandy now for a number of years. He loves the area and its people. He wants to especially thank Craig and Vonnie Sterry's whose cabin outside of Hingham was where he wrote the entire book. Ray and Amy Sibra let him stay with them off and on for over a decade and without them the book simply would not exist. Josh Danreuther and Nathan Merrill took him out on the landscape and helped him see it in new and fascinating ways. He came to do a book reading of his published book, Broken Field, set in a rural community that Big Sandy inspired.

November 14....Chouteau County turned out in huge numbers for the election. Winning the state election was Jon Tester, Greg Gianforte, for state Senate Russ Temple and for state representative Kassmier won.

Larry and Chris Brumwell have been teachers in our schools since the fall of 1978. That's 40 years of teaching.

November 21....Big Sandy Variety show brings out a number of gifted individuals. There were 24 acts.

November 28....The Annual Chouteau County Christmas Stroll always ushers in the Christmas season. This year Big Sandy's Christmas Stroll is "A Cowboy Christmas". Over the last three weeks the Mountaineer as tried to prepare you for this weekend. It takes a lot of work to accomplish the "Cowboy Christmas" and the Big Sandy CSI committee members Marlys Myers, Tina Cook, Tracy Schuster, Leslie Gregory, Danielle Weaver, Crystal Geyer, Dave Louvar, Pete Jerrel, and Travis Baumann have been doing the majority of the work. Besides a huge thank you, it's important that these community members clearly understand exactly what they do for us.

Sun Shine Snippers 4-H Club is a service organization not just an organization with learning projects. When they sold Martinson's Chocolates as a fund raiser this year they had to declare a service project. This year they decided to create a Hats and Mittens Tree at the FE Miley grade school. Teachers were encouraged to find students in need of hats and mittens and allow those students to pick them off the tree for themselves and for their siblings.

The Big Sandy High School and Junior High Science Olympiad teams competed in Bozeman this last week at their state competition. The high school team finished second in the small schools division and 11th overall.

December 5....Celebrations are incredible because of the people. So many winners including every person who participated in celebrating our small town "Cowboy Christmas." Grand prize winner of the button draw for a $1,000 gift certificate at Valley Furniture was Marie Jappe and the grand prize winner for the child's button was Lauri Silvan who took home a two-seater electric 4-wheeler. The grand prize float went to Nimmick/Darlingtons, the float with the most lights went to the fire department (no one else will win that prize, they just add more lights from the prize money for the next year). The People's Choice award went to the Grocery Store. The Cocktail Throw Down was won by The Mint with Santa's Secret Stash.

Big Sandy Medical Center held it 56th annual Meeting. A representative from Douglas Wilson & Co, P. C. reported that though this was a challenging year for the BSMC she wanted to report that the balance sheet was still in excellent shape and she could confidently say the medical center is "good and solid". BSMC lost $680,443.34 of contractual write-offs from insurance companies, Medicare, and Medicaid. They also provided $25,497.50 in "charity care". According to the Audit Summary and findings, "Total assets have decreased by approximately $1 million." Which is primarily due to three issues, the number of patients has decreased, cuts in Medicare and Medicaid and insurance companies not paying. "Total liabilities have not significantly changed from the 6/30/17 audited balance."

December 12...."It's exciting." Erik Siestsema has just received the first boxes full of his book and is looking forward to Saturday December 15th 1:00 PM to 6:00 PM for the official book reveal and reading at Craig Edwards Art Gallery in Big Sandy. He'll be reading a sample from his book at 2:00 and at 4:00. Come help him celebrate and support him as an author and purchase a great children's book for Christmas. Erik can't wait to personally sign "The Curse of the Vassal Fruit" for community friends.

December 19.... Rachel Baumgarn started being the organizer in Big Sandy American Red Cross Drive in 2017, two years ago. Twila Cline asked her to help and she decided it was a great way for her to give back for Hudson who needed blood for his open-heart surgery. Hudson sat at the table with us and wanted to help me write the article so he took notes mentioning at one time he didn't know how to spell people's names. Rachel said it was OK, he could just make X's! Getting back to the subject she said, "It is what I can do to give back. And my father needed lots of blood when he was fighting his cancer." Giving blood is a great way to give life, "You always have blood to give," even though you may not have money to give.

December 22..... We have a new Farm Bill. In the new Farm Bill, industrial hemp will no longer be considered a controlled substance. However, the USDA needs to establish new regulations although the state of Montana has regulations already established because of the Montana Hemp Pilot Program. It requires the Montana Department of Agriculture to monitor hemp seed planting. In order to plant industrial hemp, the grower must have a 2019 Pilot Program license and work with the Montana Department of Agriculture to acquire seed. According to the Montana Department of Agriculture White Paper developed on 12.13.2018 currently you can only find seed in Canada, Italy, France and Brazil.

Every New Year 71% of all new year resolutions are to diet or eat healthier; exercise more (65%), or lose weight (54%). So, it is time to at least to try again. Julie Myers and LIFT Fitness of Big Sandy gives you that opportunity.

She has three classes a day, each for one hour, five days a week. The first one starts at 8:00 AM. That class has an average of four clients. She has two classes in the afternoon one that starts at 4:30 and one that starts at 5:30. The 5:30 class is the fullest usually averaging 8 or 9 clients a day. Each class can hold 10 clients.

Heather Pleninger will become the fourth Executive Director in the history of Big Sandy Activities on January 1, 2019. Lorrie Merrill is stepping down from the position to pursue a different opportunity and to give her more time to write. Connie Green was the first Executive Director when she retired after 20 years. Jean Denning took the reigns as the Executive Director in 1995. She was the Executive Director for 11 years, before Lorrie Merrill became the Executive Director in 2006.