Articles from the June 23, 2022 edition


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  • Celebration of faith, dedication to future outreach and ministry

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SWAN VALLEY – In September 2018 members of Condon Community Church stood around a blue cross painted on the ground and prayed for the expansion project for their church. "We are going to break up this cross but it is always going to be here and always going to be a symbol for our church," said Pastor Bruce Rippy as he sunk the shovel in the sand. From its humble start meeting at the Swan Valley Community Hall for the first 24 years, Condon Community Church's dream of a larger sanctuary became r...

  • Proposed land use fee increase, affordable housing plans discussed

    Haley Yarborough, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE - At their June 13 meeting, the Seeley Lake Community Council reviewed Missoula County Community and Planning Services (CAPS) plans to raise land use fees and listened to a presentation from Trust Montana about their ideas to bring affordable housing to Seeley Lake. CAPS assesses fees to applicants to cover the review of new construction and development applications related to subdivision, floodplain, zoning and more. Without these fees, local taxpayers would cover the cost. According to Karen Hughes, the Assistant Director of...

  • Veterans and Families receives Parks and Trails Steward Award

    Haley Yarborough, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE- The Missoula County Parks and Trails Advisory Board and the Missoula County Commissioners presented the 2022 Parks and Trails Steward Award to the Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake (VFSL) in the summer sun at Veterans Memorial Garden on Thursday, June 16. VFSL was founded in 2012, continuing the civic work after the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) 7992 and the Ladies Auxiliary was disbanded. According to Jackson Lee, the Parks and Trail Specialist, the VFSL plays a vital role in c...

  • Garnet Days fun for whole family

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    The Garnet Preservation Association hosted their annual Garnet Days June 18 to raise awareness and funds to maintain Garnet in its "arrested state of decay." Attendees strolled the streets of the ghost town enjoying live music, gold panning, listening to stories of Garnet during the living history program and stopping at the saloon for shots of root beer and to pick up taffy at Davey's General Store....

  • Engage in next steps with Sewer District Selection Committee

    Bill Decker, Seeley Lake Sewer District Manager|Jun 23, 2022

    In March 2022 the Seeley Lake Missoula County Sewer District advertised a “Request For Qualifications” to address the groundwater degradation occurring in the District. The District received four responses to its request. The responses were from Morrison/Maierle, IMEG (formerly Territorial Land works), AquaTech and SepticNet/WET. The “Qualifications” were reviewed and scored by the Board of Directors of the District. A District Selection Committee will interview all the respondents. The Selection Committee is composed of two board members, thre...

  • Let God be the final judge

    Steve Ellis, Condon, Montana|Jun 23, 2022

    In response to the letter to the editor by Jim Johnson that appeared in the June 16 Pathfinder, I believe the very fact he chose to write that article reveals his church doesn’t welcome LGBTQ individuals. We are all created by God. God will be our final judge, not me....

  • Response to Johnson's "Biblical perspective"

    Mountain Lakes Presbyterian Church Leadership, Seeley Lake, Montana|Jun 23, 2022

    I am writing in response to “A Biblical perspective” printed in the June 16th Pathfinder’s Letter to the Editor by Jim Johnson. First, the “letter to the editor” column may not be the most appropriate place to have a theological debate. However, since my colleague has opened that door, I dutifully, though reluctantly, step through to respond to the unsubstantiated allegations and cultural assumptions portrayed as “a Biblical perspective.” Second, the very notion that “pride culture” can be reduced to one thing is nonsense. Third, contrary t...

  • District Fire Management Officer retires after 35 year career

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE – The Bitterroot Hot Shots Fire Crew rolled up to their assignment on the edge of a fern farm. As they approached the property, they saw all kinds of trucks labeled "Red Neck Fire Brigade." "It was like stepping into Deliverance. We didn't know what to expect," said Phil Shelmerdine, a squad boss on Hot Shots at the time. By the end of the crew's time on the farm, the landowner named all the roads after the girls on the crew and hosted a barbecue for the crew at the beach during thei...

  • Richard "Max" Bullock Feb. 13, 1993 - June 3, 2022

    Jun 23, 2022

    When asked how Max would want to be celebrated, Lt. TJ Hall, Max's Wingman, said, "Fast, Loud and Awesome!" While he'll be celebrated this way, he'll be remembered as generous beyond belief, a genuine friend, passionate, relentlessly positive and fearless. Lt. Richard Max Bullock was born on Feb. 13, 1993 in Butte, Montana. He died on June 3 during a training exercise, when the FA-18 Super Hornet he was flying crashed near Trona, California. While taken far too soon, Max packed more into 29... Full story

  • FBI SWAT team trains at SSHS

    Susan Monahan, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE – FBI SWAT team conducted a barricaded hostage training session at the Seeley-Swan High School on June 16. FBI spokesperson stated this was part of the group's monthly training sessions held in Idaho, Montana and Utah. Principal Shawn Holmes said he was first contacted by United State Forest Service Law Enforcement Officer Tyler Robinson about setting up some areas for FBI SWAT training specifically at the Gordon Ranch in Condon. Conversations led to training at the high school inste...

  • Ramping up for summer work on TNC lands

    Bebe Crouse, The Nature Conservancy in Montana|Jun 23, 2022

    Summer is upon us and that means Nature Conservancy crews are deep into their season of fieldwork but we haven't been idle over the winter and spring. We were excited to complete the first leg of a two-part sale of land in the Ninemile/Woodchuck area to the Bureau of Land Management. The first 4,600 acres were transferred in April and we expect to close soon on an additional 6,400 acres bringing the total to 11,000 acres permanently conserved for public use. Lots of numbers, but the bottom line...

  • Forest Service plants trees at Big Larch

    Haley Yarborough, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE- The United States Forest Service planted 250 trees at Big Larch Campground on June 14. According to Quinn Carver, the Ranger for the Seeley Lake Ranger District, the project was to help provide shade at campsites for future Forest visitors. The trees were a mix of three- to four-year-old larch and ponderosa pine planted in small ground depressions. Around 25 District employees from silviculture, timber, recreation, fire and trails programs participated in the planting. The tree...

  • Car Show shines despite thunderstorms

    Susan Monahan, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE – Pat Martin, Seeley Lake, is pictured with his 1962 Oldsmobile Starfire at the NAPA Auto Parts - Seeley Lake Car Show June 18. Martin received the Best Factory Original and the Best Paint Job for his 1969 Chevrolet Malibu. Best of Show Award went to Le Roy Morin of Arlee for his 1955 Chevrolet Bel Air and Brian Randash of Seeley Lake for his 1968 Chevrolet Camaro. The show attracted 30 to 40 cars. Registration fees collected will be presented to Joel and Jeanette Roesner for m...

  • Grant funds student projects tied to local communities

    Haley Yarborough|Jun 23, 2022

    This past school year a collaborative grant opportunity between the Library of Congress and the Montana Association of Museums funded Seeley Lake Elementary and Swan Valley School projects tied to the Seeley Lake community. The Seeley Lake Historical Society partnered with Seeley Lake Elementary in conjunction with the Home Water Grant, a $750 stipend towards school-led projects designed to broaden students' understanding of the communities where they live. Only 12 grants were given out across...

  • Community Briefs

    Jun 23, 2022

    Coffee and Computers Personal Tech Support, June 30 SEELEY LAKE - Have technology questions or issues you want resolved? Come by the Foundation Building West Wing on Thursday, June 30 between 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. and visit with Seeley Lake Community Foundation volunteers. Volunteers can help on various devices and will try their best to help solve issues. If possible, please bring the device and be sure to know all passwords, so you can access what you need help with. For more information, contact the Seeley Lake Community Foundation at 406-677-35...

  • Washing of water by the Word

    Pastor Erik Iverson, Faith Lutheran in Condon & Holy Cross Lutheran in Seeley Lake|Jun 23, 2022

    “Now ye are clean through the Word which I have spoken unto you.” John 15:3 In William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” Lady Macbeth, being accomplice to the murder of King Duncan, soon begins to feel the repercussions of her deeds. After washing the blood from her hands, she begins to imagine that it stains her hands still, crying not only her famous curse against its spot, but also, “... Here’s the smell of blood still. All the perfumes of Arabia will not sweeten this little hand.” An oft overlooked but very telling line by her physician arguably spe...

  • Board opts to use reserve to reduce tax burden

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE – At their June 16 meeting, the Seeley Lake Sewer District Board adopted next year’s budget and selected the equal assessment method to spread the assessment among landowners in the District. The Board adopted their fiscal year 2023 budget of $116,805. Of that, the District will use $84,397.98 from their reserves, money collected last year but not spent, and only assess landowners for $32,407. This will result in a significant break on landowner’s tax bill. The Board also voted to use the equal assessment method of spreading the tax...

  • New manager brings community love to Loving Hearts 

    Haley Yarborough, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE – When asked to manage Loving Hearts Thrift Store, Joyce Love said she volunteered for the position for a similar reason the store was created: to give back to the community. Since its inception in 1989, Loving Hearts has helped residents through bill assistance, supported local organizations and offered scholarships to Seeley-Swan High School seniors every year. With the previous manager Mary Newpower now retired, who better to take on the legacy of Loving Hearts than someone w...

  • Helmville town meeting discusses growth potential and barriers

    Jean Pocha, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    HELMVILLE – Powell County Planner Amanda Cooley with Bo Walker, Montana State University extension agent, and Chad Lanes, Tri-County Sanitarian, held a meeting at the Helmville Community Hall June 16 to collect community input regarding barriers to growth and ways to encourage growth in Helmville. In addition, there was discussion to explore zoning and land use options for aiding growth. More than 50 residents attended the meeting. Cooley called the meeting after having many inquiries from Helmville residents on these topics. Zoning c...

  • Residents share stories at last event of the season

    Haley Yarborough, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE - After spending her childhood on a ranch in Eureka, Montana, Seeley Lake was the last place MaryAnn Morin wanted to live. When her husband Glen told her he thought God wanted them to move to Seeley Lake, she told him "you and God can move to Seeley Lake." But, like all six speakers who presented at the last "Tell Us Your Story" event of the season, Morin learned to love the community and the people within it. "The thing I liked about the community, especially when we first came,...

  • 20/35 Year Look Back

    Jun 23, 2022

    In celebration of 36 years of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder, each week we will run parts of articles that appeared in the issue 35 years ago and 20 years ago. The entire issue will be uploaded to our website seeleylake.com for you to enjoy. We hope you will enjoy the journey with us as we follow our community through the past 36 years as documented by the Pathfinder. 35 years ago: June 25, 1987 issue The songs are His; the rewards are ours Story Suzanne Vernon A group of about two dozen Seeley...

  • Raises and bonuses approved

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SWAN VALLEY - The Swan Valley School Board voted for raises and bonuses for its staff at their June 13 board meeting. The Board considered three options for the certified and classified staff salary schedules including no change (which has a 1.5% raise already built in), 4% raise and 5.5% raise to the base pay. The Board opted for giving the 4% raise in the base pay for all staff citing the desire to leave a little room in the budget for other things that might come up. Year-end staff bonuses were then discussed. Business Manager/District...

  • Cantina conversation leads to performing duo

    Susan Monahan, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE – Conversations in the Arroyo's Cantina led to the formation of "Keeping the Day Jobs" band. Marcos Arroyo and Rich Westin sat around discussing music one evening with Arroyos' guitars hanging in the background. Westin advised he was considering getting a new set of drums. Arroyo encouraged the thought so they could play music together. Arroyo grew up in Texas, joined the Navy and met his wife, Samantha in Washington. He was an electrician by trade working in Washington. O...

  • Beargrass products infused with local flowers

    Susan Monahan|Jun 23, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE – Catherine Schuck, Potomac, offers her Beargrass products of salves, lotions, knit and crocheted hats at the Seeley Lake Market. She has been a mainstay of the market for the past four years. Schuck can also be seen weekly at the Missoula Farmers Market on Saturdays over the summer. Schuck offers salves and lotions infused with products such as arnica found on her own property. She dries the flowers at home and then infuses them into organic olive oil along with mango and shea b...

  • Pedaling to relive historic trails, raise awareness

    Jean Pocha, Pathfinder|Jun 23, 2022

    OVANDO - Erick Cedaño, the Bicycle Nomad, pedaled into Ovando Tuesday afternoon, June 14. It was the first leg of his 1,900 mile solo trip cycling to St. Louis, Missouri on the path of the 25th Infantry known as the Buffalo Soldiers from 1897. Cedaño left Fort Missoula at 5:40 a.m. just as the original Corps had. A group of Bicycle Corps re-enactors from Fort Missoula accompanied him to downtown Missoula. Commemorative celebrations in Fort Missoula and Wallace, Idaho were held June 13-19 for t...