Articles from the March 26, 2020 edition


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  • Sewer District meets remotely

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Sewer District (SLSD) held its March 19 meeting via teleconference call to avoid congregating people per recommendations to limit the spread of coronavirus. The District finally received a bill from their attorney for regular Board business for ten months of work in 2019. In other business the District received word that a grant for Phase 2 is no longer available and the Board voted to reapply. The 42-page invoice from Beal Law Firm covered charges from March - December 2019 and totaled $47,860.57. The D...

  • Local Iditarod musher racks up awards

    Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    ALASKA – Nine days, 17 hours, 47 minutes and 16 seconds after leaving Anchorage, Seeley Lake part-time resident Jessie Royer mushed her dogsled team into Nome, Alaska to a third-place finish in the 2020 Iditarod race. She arrived March 18, seven hours after first-place finisher Thomas Waerner from Torpa, Norway and just one hour after Mitch Seavey from Seward, Alaska. Prize money for each Iditarod involves a complicated algorithm, awarding incrementally increasing amounts for finishers 1-20. T...

  • Homeschool moms offer tips to embrace learning at home

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    "I want to let all of the parents that have found themselves quarantine schooling at home that what you're doing is hard! You didn't want to do this and it's probably not going to look like what a typical homeschoolers day looks like," posted homeschooling mother Michelle Cahoon on the "School at Home" Facebook page. "My number one piece of advice is to give yourself grace [and have fun]. Don't expect to get it all done. It doesn't have to look like public school at home. Take lots of brain brea...

  • Schools collaborate to provide lunches through closure

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – While Seeley Lake Elementary bus driver Gary Wayne drove his route Monday morning, he never picked up any children. Instead he, along with SLE kitchen staff Joy Clemens, dropped off sack lunches and breakfasts packaged for area students who are home due to school closures. This is a service being offered to area students 18-years-old and younger at no cost while schools are closed due to the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic. Governor Steve Bullock closed schools statewide March 1...

  • Strengthening our democracy Against COVID-19

    Bryce Bennett, Missoula, Mont.|Mar 26, 2020

    Our democracy can stand up to a lot — but COVID-19 will test us. The threat of this rapidly spreading virus has fundamentally changed our lives as Americans and Montanans seemingly overnight. We’ve turned to each other and made changes big and small to help protect our health and the health of our friends, neighbors and communities. COVID-19 has changed how we greet one another, what’s on television, how we gather together, how thoroughly we wash our hands, where we work, how often we go out and much more. Now, it must change the way we vote....

  • Stop – Chat

    Dale Terrillion|Mar 26, 2020

    Many moons ago while cutt'n timber on a big burn between Lowman and Garden Valley, Idaho for Columbia Helicopter, I drove by a somewhat ramshackle place. One of the last buildings head'n up the river. At any rate, what got my attention wasn't the sign "honey for sale" instead it was the sign which read "mountain man, stop – chat." Well sir, I must stop and chat then. The old man was surely lonely and welcomed me right in for coffee. At a glance there was no doubt he'd spent his life in hard labo...

  • Spring tips when recreating on the Seeley Lake Ranger District

    Seeley Lake Ranger District|Mar 26, 2020

    Although spring has officially arrived, unpredictable weather is creating variable conditions across the Seeley Lake Ranger District. Large amounts of snow remain at high elevations, while lower elevations may be experiencing spring melt. Melting snow and ice creates soft roadbeds and poses challenges and risks to driving out on the Forest. The District is asking the visiting public to avoid driving on roads that are wet. Traveling on soft roadbeds can lead to expensive repairs, longer-term closures to fix problems and potentially vehicles...

  • Arts scholarships available

    Alpine Artisans Inc.|Mar 26, 2020

    Are you interested in a summer arts camp or a senior college scholarship? Alpine Artisans is offering scholarships and we're eager to receive your application – due April 18. For more information and the application forms visit http://www.alpineartisans.org/scholarships/ Youth Arts Grants: All K-12 students attending schools or home-schooled are eligible. Grants can be for art, drama, dance or music workshops, camps or lessons. Our website offers local experts who provide lessons. Senior S...

  • This time....

    Kim Heninger, Licensed Clinical and Addiction Therapist|Mar 26, 2020

    This time calls upon our creative imagination, coping skills of positive self-talk, understanding and trusting that we can find a new normal. Talkback to worries and look for opportunities. Fresh air and aerobic exercise for those that are well, use exercise, outdoors and good news to keep you afloat. Let negative news go for now. Use screen time to search for humor and fun entertainment. This time is calling for all of us to reach out and be there for each other. That means if you can drop off...

  • Rallying together as Montanans in times of crisis

    Governor Steve Bullock|Mar 26, 2020

    Montanans are no strangers to challenging and unprecedented times. In 2017, we tackled the most expensive fire season on record and the largest since the big burn of 1910. Through economic downturns, we have made sacrifices in order to help neighbors in need and rebuilt again. Even dating back to the Granite Mountain mine disaster over a century ago, we made sure we came out of it a stronger community. With coronavirus now reaching our state, we again face challenging and unprecedented times. This pandemic not only gives way to extraordinary...

  • Hibernation: What's going on for grizzly bears in winter?

    Tatum McConnell, Vital Ground Communications Intern|Mar 26, 2020

    Making your bed can be a pain and nobody knows that better than the grizzly bear. Each fall a grizzly moves an incredible one ton of material to make its den. By December, bears in the Northern Rockies are taking full advantage of their cozy winter homes, settled into a long slumber before emerging in March or April. The first bears are already out and about, but before we welcome them back, let's pause to consider the science of their winter sleep. It's commonly referred to as hibernation-but...

  • Facilitating remote learning in less than 24 hours

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    GREENOUGH – Sunday night, March 15 when Governor Steve Bullock announced a statewide school closure for two weeks, Sunset School supervising teacher Toni Hatten started thinking about the best lesson delivery method for the school's 14 students. Without the luxury of spring break, Monday morning Hatten and teacher Hali Richmond came up with binders for each child and two weeks' worth of work to help keep them engaged in learning from home. They delivered the binders and students' Chromebooks t...

  • Coronavirus updates and week in review

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    Below is a summary of the new information to local and statewide closures, restrictions and accommodations due to the coronavirus as of Tuesday morning, March 24. Information changes daily, sometimes hourly. Please call ahead or contact the organization directly with questions. Please follow the Seeley Swan Pathfinder website (http://www.seeleylake.com) for Breaking News for our area. We will post as it becomes available. For the most up-to-date and accurate information and best ways of...

  • Willing to be surprised

    Rev. Carrie Benton, Pastor, Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church|Mar 26, 2020

    Why do you see the speck in your neighbor's eye, but do not notice the log in your own eye? Or how can you say to your neighbor, "Let me take the speck out of your eye," while the log is in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the log out of your own eye, and then you will see clearly to take the speck out of your neighbor's eye. (Matthew 7:3-5 NRSV) I heard recently that many Americans have lost their capacity to be surprised. The person surmised three primary cultural shifts have given...

  • Registering for Sewer District election

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – According to the Missoula County Elections Office, there are a handful of changes to the voter registration process for property owners in the Seeley Lake Sewer District for the upcoming board election. The May 5 election will be conducted by mail with ballots being mailed out April 15. While any active registered voter residing within the Sewer District is eligible, there are also several ways in which landowners may be eligible to vote. How they register depends on how they own their property. Residents, either renters or l...

  • Kirby tailors program to student audience

    Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – The March 12 issue of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder carried a report on the multimedia presentation Scott Kirby presented the previous Sunday in Condon. That presentation primarily addressed the adults of our communities. When Alpine Artisan's 2 Valleys Stage arranges these community performances, it also contracts with the artists to offer presentations and workshops in the local schools. In his presentations at Swan Valley School, Potomac Elementary, Seeley Lake Elementary and S...

  • Ski team wraps up successful season

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 26, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Nordic Club wrapped up their season with the Yellowstone Rendezvous March 7. The team skied to new heights this year. The competitive team continued to take the podium at area races and participated in their first international race in Canada while building participation and enthusiasm for the Junior Prep Team. This year there were 13 racers on the Competitive Team including five from Seeley-Swan High School. Ella Batchelder was the only senior this year. B...

  • Community Briefs

    Mar 26, 2020

    Virtual Conversation on Preparedness, March 26 SEELEY LAKE – The public is invited to engage in a live-streamed Conversation on Preparedness Thursday, March 26 starting at 5:30 p.m. Tune in for a panel discussion via the Seeley Swan Pathfinder Facebook page and submit questions through the Facebook chat window. There will also be an opportunity to comment on a proposed Heating, Ventilation & Air Conditioning (HVAC) system for the Seeley Lake Historical Museum and Visitor’s Center (Barn). The conversation is sponsored by the Double Arrow Lan...

  • Governor Bullock Announces Extension of Closures, Mandates Social Distancing

    Office of the Governor|Mar 26, 2020

    MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today issued a directive to extend closures of public schools and dine-in food service and alcoholic beverage businesses through April 10 and mandate social distancing measures to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana. “Montanans have an obligation to slow the spread of this virus. Our fellow Montanans can all continue to set a good example for each other in adhering to social distancing directives – and know that it will save lives,” Governor Bullock said. “For every person who stays at home and avoids no...

  • Lolo and Flathead National Forests offers free personal use firewood cutting beginning April 1

    Lolo and Flathead National Forests|Mar 26, 2020

    Personal firewood cutting will be free to the general public from April 1 through June 1, 2020, on the Lolo and Flathead National Forests. No permit will be required during this time. Woodcutters can take up to 12 cords of firewood for personal use. A cord is the amount of tightly piled wood in a stack four feet high by four feet wide by eight feet long. Personal use firewood cutting allows you to remove downed timber or to cut standing dead trees under most conditions on National Forests and...

  • June 2 Primary Election shifts to mail-in ballot

    Mar 26, 2020

    Following the March 25 governor’s directive, Missoula County will run the upcoming June 2 federal primary election via all-mail ballot. Ballots for the primary election will be mailed to voters on May 8. Voters will be able to update their information for the primary via the mail and not risk unnecessary exposure until 5 p.m. Tuesday, May 26. Voters are encourage voters to check www.MyVoterPageMT.com to confirm their status and to reach out to us at 406-258-4751 or electioninfo@missoulacounty.us for any updates. On Wednesday, May 27, until 1...

  • Governor Bullock issues stay at home directive to slow the spread of COVID-19

    Office of the Governor|Mar 26, 2020

    MONTANA – Governor Steve Bullock today issued a Directive requiring Montanans to stay home and temporarily closes all nonessential businesses and operations to curtail the spread of COVID-19. The order, which goes into effect at 12:01 a.m. on March 28, will buy time for health care workers on the frontlines and seeks to limit long term impacts to the state's economy. "In consultation with public health experts, health care providers, and emergency management professionals, I have determined that to protect public health and human safety, it i...

  • Governor Bullock Directs 14-Day Quarantine for Travelers Arriving in Montana From Another State or Country

    Office of the Governor|Mar 26, 2020

    MONTANA – Monday, March 30 Governor Steve Bullock directed that travelers arriving from another state or country to Montana for non-work-related purposes undergo a 14-day self-quarantine. The Directive follows the governor’s prior travel advisory and last week’s Stay at Home Directive. “While we love our visitors, we would ask that you not come visit while Montanans are watching out for one another by staying at home,” said Governor Bullock. “This is important not only to protect our health care system, but also to protect against the spread...