100 Years Ago — Oct 14, 1926.
Autumn hunting plans were underway as F. E. Morefield, H. C. Hurd, Otto Hurst, Paul Green and Karl Tuttle left Wednesday for Conrad. From there, the group planned to head west into the mountains in search of deer and elk.
On the football field, the Big Sandy High School team had a difficult outing against a fast Havre squad, losing 66–13. Meanwhile, Mrs. John Mitchell returned to her teaching duties at the Porter school after a week of illness. Mrs. Andrew Nelson had filled in during her absence.
The agricultural economy was evident in a shipment of 13 railroad cars of cattle on Tuesday. The cattle belonged to Nick Bush, Jess Kessler and Frank Bell. Around town, Fred Pearson was driving a new Chevrolet sedan, a detail worthy of mention in the weekly news.
Louis Anderson was in Big Sandy Tuesday evening before departing Friday for Rush City, Minnesota, where he intended to spend the winter with his brother. Attorney W. S. Towner and his son John of Fort Benton attended to business in Big Sandy Monday night; Towner was the Democratic candidate for county attorney.
Mr. and Mrs. R. S. Tingley drove to Fort Benton Tuesday, where Mrs. Tingley planned to remain in the hospital for a time after six weeks of ill health. Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Simonsen and their sons moved Wednesday to Polson, where Mr. Simonsen had rented a farm. Joe Martin attended the Big Sandy–Havre football game in Havre on Friday.
75 Years Ago — Oct 18, 1951
Shirley Siebrasse, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. R. Siebrasse of Big Sandy, married Harold J. Lund, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Lund of Carter, in a private ceremony at the Big Sandy Methodist Church on Friday, October 12, at 5:30 p.m.
Mrs. Ed Buchholz entertained the Sunshine Ladies Aid on Thursday, with Mrs. Reynold Larson serving as co-hostess. A large group attended the meeting, and many more arrived afterward to visit and enjoy lunch.
Nine members were initiated into the Pioneer Chapter of the National Honor Society on Monday evening. President Georgia Schlack called the meeting to order, and Superintendent M. L. Rickerd announced the names of those being initiated.
Mrs. Lulu Giebel was honored with a surprise party Thursday evening at the Methodist Church. Mr. and Mrs. Dudley Cooke were surprised Tuesday when neighbors arrived carrying well-filled luncheon baskets to help celebrate their tenth wedding anniversary.
Mrs. Bill Darlington was the guest of honor at a pink-and-blue shower Sunday afternoon at the Hopp Community Hall. Mrs. Ray Moes and Mrs. Earl Gilles were the hostesses.
School news included two injuries: Raymond Scott injured a vertebra in his neck while playing in the October 6 Homecoming game, and Gullickson separated a shoulder muscle during the game. Third-grader Timmy Balazic lost part of a finger in a drill accident and was carrying his arm in a sling.
Former teachers also returned to the community. Ethel Keltinger Swanson came from Pendroy on Sunday; she had taught at Big Sandy High School from 1919 to 1921. Dorothea Miltz Hauge of Havre attended Sunday with her husband and two small sons. Mr. and Mrs. M. P. Moe visited from Helena. Both had taught locally, and M. P. had served as superintendent.
50 Years Ago — Oct 21, 1976
Big Sandy football fans had reason to celebrate. The Pioneers, described as Montana’s top-ranked Class B team, captured their first divisional crown in 22 years by defeating the fifth-ranked Simms Tigers 44–8.
The speech team also earned recognition at the Great Falls meet, winning the Class A-B-C Drama Sweepstakes. Doug Braun, with five first-place finishes in preliminary rounds, led the drama section of the team to second place in Serious Solo Acting. Tracy Wortman placed third in the same category.
Hunting season opened with pleasant weather and company. Clarence Baxter, Joe and Carol Moravec, and friends from Chouteau enjoyed dinner with the Henry Drga family. The Sunshine Snippers 4-H Club held its organizational meeting Sunday afternoon at the Henry Drga home.
Julie Silvan took Sophia Williams and Jack Sluggett to town Tuesday, where they visited Libby and Jamie. Friends and family also gathered October 6 to celebrate Doug Grubb’s birthday. Guests included his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Laurence Ophus; Mr. and Mrs. Jody Grubb; Mr. and Mrs. Marshall Kulbeck and children; Bonnie and Tracy; Skip and Cheryl Grubb and their son; Nora’s brother Larry; and Kevin and Jamie Courtnage, who stopped by for cake.
Shorty Cross was fixing up a basement for a home where the Knudsvig trailer house had stood before its removal. Lois Ophus, Dordy Quinn, Shirley Simpson and Adelle Miner attended a Daughters of the Nile banquet in Havre Saturday evening.
Wedding news came from Chester: Virginia Joan Dahinden, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Vern Dahinden of Joplin, married Brian Edwards, son of Mr. and Mrs. Keith Edwards of Big Sandy, at St. Mary’s Catholic Church on September 18. Mark Grosen, son of Mr. and Mrs. Knud Grosen, was selected as Big Sandy’s candidate for the O’Brian Youth Leadership Seminar.
25 Years Ago —Oct 17, 2001
Community generosity was on display at the annual Medical Guild Rummage Sale at the Jerry Martin Memorial Hall. Linda Finke was pictured serving pie and coffee, and the volunteers thanked those who donated, transported items or simply stopped in to shop and visit.
The Big Sandy Volunteer Fire Department’s Twin Tower Fundraiser also brought people together. Nancy Jappe won a BB gun donated by Courtnage & Sons, a floppy dog donated by the Larry Ophus family and several other prizes; the photo caption joked that she needed Lenny’s help to carry everything. Abbie Gregory won a Sunshine Barbie donated by Sharon Robertson.
At school, “Buddy Day” offered time for friendship. Haley Grubb was photographed at recess with her buddies Lisa Jamieson and Kendra Hammons.
The Lady Pioneers continued their remarkable basketball season. Sophomore Carley Squires, assisted by junior Haley Grubb, was photographed collecting a rebound against a J-I Lady Ram. Big Sandy improved to 14–0 with a commanding 95–18 victory and was scheduled to play at Rocky Boy on October 26 before hosting Hays-Lodgepole the following day.
Big Sandy FFA members also represented the school at district livestock and range contests in Hobson and Moore. The senior livestock team included Jacob Bold, Linda Givens, Thomas Scalese, Laceen Ophus, Sara Weaver and Luke Runnion. Sara Weaver placed first overall among 86 contestants, helping the team earn third place. The junior team—John Drga, Aaron Andrade, Jack Thorton and Justin Boyce—finished 12th among 22 teams, an impressive result for members who had never judged before. The senior team was headed to the Northern International Livestock Exposition in Billings.
The issue also announced the October 14 birth of Hudson Owen Smith to Steve and his wife of Bozeman. Hudson weighed 7 pounds, 14 ounces and measured 20½ inches. His grandparents included Glen and Vicki Kulbeck of Big Sandy, Penny and Richard McLean of Auburn, Washington, and Dan and Chris Smith of Bozeman. Great-grandmothers were Emma Kulbeck and Lucy Courtnage of Big Sandy and Mickey Kohler of Bozeman.