Week of January 16, 2025
Week of January 16, 2025
When it comes to writing coaches, the best ones may not look like editors, nor even claim any authority around semicolon usage. They may have backgrounds not in writing but as chefs, ranchers, or engineers. The greatest mentors, in fact, are the best listeners, and the ones who care most about their communities. This is according to Cassie Sheets, executive director of Writing Coaches of Montana (writingcoachesofmontana.org), a Missoula-based nonprofit that recently partnered with Potomac School, as well as Seeley-Swan High School, to enlist...
Winter outdoor enthusiasts have more to look forward to so far this year, particularly as recent precipitation has boosted snowpack levels across the area watershed. While starting the fall and winter at low snow levels, the Blackfoot watershed - which runs from the Continental Divide east of Lincoln to the Blackfoot River's confluence with the Clark Fork River east of Missoula - is in a better condition than it was last year when snowpack was at a record low. More recent precipitation has put...
The pond at Seeley Lake's Lions Club Park has been impacted by large muskrats and unseasonably warm temperatures. On Jan. 2, the Seeley Lake Lions Club shared a Facebook post informing people about the issue and potential safety concerns of being on the ice this winter. The post stated muskrats have been digging holes in the ice and keeping it from refreezing. The post mentioned a hole 18 inches wide that is marked off with caution tape. There is a very thin layer of ice over the hole and the...
HELENA — Lawmakers are considering a bill that would make local agencies ask voters for a specific dollar amount of property tax increases on ballot levies rather than rely on mills — a property tax-based increase that can help account for inflation and changes in property values. Local levies are often used for public services like libraries or fire stations. The bill would still allow mills for public schools. Supporters of House Bill 20 told lawmakers in the House Taxation Committee on Tuesday Jan. 7 that the change would stabilize...
Seeley Lake Elementary School is going through its accreditation process and is looking for community input to complete one element of the requirements. The state Office of Public Instruction rolled out a new portion of the rotating accreditation schedule this year for elementary and high school districts across the state. Schools are accredited as a way of holding districts accountable to their roles and purposes laid out in the state Constitution, like staffing levels and test scores. Generally the schedule includes developing a mentorship...
Non-profit organizations are invited to submit grant proposals to the Seeley Lake Community Foundation for 2025 projects. The SLCF awards grants of up to $3,000 for projects to benefit the area of Seeley Lake. Applications are due Jan. 31 each year, and grant award decisions are made by early March. The Seeley Lake Community Foundation helps local groups fund important community projects in the areas of: art and culture, community and economic development, basic human needs, education and natural resources and conservation. In this capacity,...
Thursday Jan. 11, 1990 Blackhawks shipwreck pirates The Blackhawks of the Seeley-Swan traveled to the Bitterroot Valley to engage the Victor Pirates in a 12C basketball game. The local quintet led from start to finish. The score at the end of the first quarter was 17-9. By the half, the Blackhawks had a comfortable lead, 30-17. The Hawks offense exploded for 25 points in the third stanza, taking a 55-36 lead. The two teams played the fourth quarter evenly, and at the final buzzer the Blachawks were victorious, 76-56. The Blachawks dominated...
Being titled the Mother of God is unbelievable to some but credible because Jesus, who is God, said, "I and the Father are one" (John 10:22-42); additionally, Thomas said, "... My Lord, and my God!" (John 20:21-31) Mary is called "woman," a respectful, theological title revealing Mary's cooperation in Jesus' work of salvation while faithfully rectifying the disobedience of the first woman, Eve. God said, "I will put enmities between thee [serpent Devil] and the woman [Mary], and thy seed and...
Missoula, Mont. — Welcome Melani Best! As spring arrives, Missoula Aging Services (MAS) is excited to introduce a new team member who will work onsite to connect older adults in the Seeley Lake community with valuable resources. Please welcome Melani Best, the new Rural Resource Specialist in Seeley Lake. Best says, “I look forward to assisting the older residents of Seeley Lake and supporting their independence.” The new Resource Specialist brings a heartfelt commitment to helping others to her position. A Seeley Lake native who...
The 69th session of the Montana Legislature began its work on Jan. 6. It was a day given over to ceremony. Governor Greg Gianforte took his oath of office at 10:30 in the morning followed by the other statewide elected officials. The 150 members of the Legislature were sworn in at noon followed by the formal election of the Speaker of the House, Mr. Brandon Ler, of Savage, Montana and President of the Senate, Mr. Matt Regier from Kalispell. The Republican Party holds a majority in both chambers with the Senate standing at 32 Republicans and...
This time of year it is not uncommon to be asked questions like, “What do you do now that the plants are dormant/frozen/covered with snow?” Understandably, it is assumed that once plants are no longer actively growing there aren’t many, if any, occupational demands or requirements. The truth is, much of the field season undertakings are reliant on efforts made during the “off” season. In Powell County, for example, we have loaner equipment to winterize as well as evaluate in terms of current and future maintenance requirements. The...
Charlie Brooks was a great storyteller and angling writer. His “The Trout and the Stream” and “Larger Trout for the Western Fly Fisherman” were already classics when we were having dinner after a day of fishing in the early ‘80s. We shared stories about people we both knew. The stories Charlie rolled off in his distinctive Texas drawl had me laughing so hard that I could barely finish my steak. Charlie was a couple of decades my senior, a hulk of a man and slightly hunched over at his massive shoulders who must have stood about six...
Winning and losing teaches players a lot about patience and perseverance, two skills the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks demonstrated while playing the St. Regis Tigers and the Hot Spring Savage Heats last weekend. On Friday, Jan. 10 the Seeley-Swan Blackhawks competed against the St. Regis Tigers at home. The Blackhawks started off the night neck and neck with the Tigers most of the first quarter. At half time, the Tigers led by six points, 19-25. They continued going back and forth through the third...
