Articles from the August 11, 2016 edition


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  • Lorentz Makes Her Mark

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - Hellgate Civilian Shooter Ibby Lorentz of Seeley Lake was one of two shooters from Montana to attend the American Legion National Championship in Colorado Springs, Colo. at the end of July. Ibby finished third in the nation for junior precision shooters missing less than 36 points out of 2,500 possible. Ibby was among 1,500 shooters to enter the American Legion Postal Match for junior shooters, freshman through seniors, during the 2015-2016 school year. Shooters compete on their...

  • It's All About the People

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE – When the Baier family opened Seeley Lake 1-Stop their goal was to run it for a few years and then sell it. Now 30 years later, they continue to strive to make a living, take care of their regular customers and said their favorite part of owning the business has been the people. The Baier family, Norm, Rose and their two sons Bill and Bob, moved to Seeley Lake in 1957. Norm started out logging with Jack Long and Rose worked as the Seeley-Swan High School secretary for Principal K...

  • Celebrating History Through Stories

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    SWAN VALLEY - The Upper Swan Valley Historical Society (USVHS) hosted an evening of history, food and entertainment Aug. 6 at the Swan Valley Museum in Condon. Local residents shared stories about three of the buildings onsite at the museum while Steve Lamar shared his Unsolved Mysteries of the Swan presentation. The evening ended with entertainment by local musicians. Smith Creek School The Smith Creek School was one of six one-room schools in the Swan Valley and part of the Swan Valley School...

  • Setting the Facts Straight about Walmart Incident

    MIchael Bracha, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 11, 2016

    MISSOULA - I need to clear up a letter to the editor last week written by my mother (Susan Bracha) about children’s safety. While her concern was real, the facts of the letter were not. I was approached by two men who worked for Walmart but was never taken to a back room. That part of the story I exaggerated because I was upset. I apologize to Walmart and anyone else who might have been affected by this mistake....

  • Negativity Quashes Creativity – Keep Up the Good Work!

    Loren Rose, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Aug 11, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - Recent events have spawned a great deal of discussion around our community. Healthy debate and volunteer involvement have long been staples of Seeley Lake. There are real dangers when negativity creeps into public discourse. First, it sends a bad message to anyone wishing to invest in Seeley Lake. That investment could range from buying a house, starting a business or even funding a sewer system. Words matter and you never know who is watching what we are doing. A good example is the foundation that gave the sewer district...

  • A Pace I Long to Keep

    Heather Layman|Aug 11, 2016

    These past few summer months have been nothing short of crazy and chaotic between work and home life. Some of you may know that I work for an electric and telecom company here on the hi-line of Montana, but what you don't know is I am a credit representative. That means I get the pleasure of disconnecting services for non-payment and am somehow the late bill and payment negotiator. Let me just say right off, I am fairly sure this must be karma biting me square in both butt cheeks because I have...

  • Rental Crisis in Seeley Lake? Through the Renters' Eyes

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    Editor’s Note: One of the first complaints we hear from people moving to Seeley Lake is they cannot find a place to rent. Potential renters are faced with limited options, budget constraints and lack of availability. Several renters, property managers and landlords were asked the question: Does this constitute a rental crisis in Seeley Lake? While not all agreed, they identified problems, challenges and potential solutions from their perspective. We choose to leave the renters anonymous to avoid any conflicts between their current or future lan...

  • Robinett Part of Inaugural Class of MSU's Hilleman Scholars Program

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    BOZEMAN – Fifty-one Montana high school seniors from across the state have been selected for their effort and potential as the inaugural class of Montana State University's (MSU) Hilleman Scholars Program, named after one of the state's most influential, but least known, native sons. Recent Seeley-Swan High School graduate Eliana Robinett was among those chosen. "This is unlike any large scholarship program we've had before," said MSU President Waded Cruzado. "We're looking for potential all a...

  • Lightning Fire Sparks Area Closure

    Aug 11, 2016

    BIGFORK - The Swan Lake Ranger District of the Flathead National Forest has issued an emergency closure order due to fire activity on all National Forest System lands within the areas of Moore Lake, Piper Creek, and Cedar Creek. This area is within Lake County, Montana. The closure boundary is defined as areas west and south from the intersection of Forest Service Road (FSR) 966 and FSR 10383 following FSR 10383 to where Cedar Creek crosses said road in Section 23. From here, the closure boundary follows Cedar Creek to the west to the forks of...

  • Reaping the Fruit of Dedication

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake resident Hope Lewis started growing a pineapple plant in her home three years ago. She continued to water and care for the plant in hopes that one day it would bloom. Last week she noticed amongst the leaves, a pineapple the size of a grapefruit. Three years ago, Lewis bought a pineapple at Cory's Valley Market and cut the top off. She stuck the top in water to see what it would do. After about a week it started to grow so she planted it in a pot. "I'm always sticking...

  • Seeley Lake Home Sales Hit a Double

    Kevin Wetherell, Clearwater Montana Properties, Inc.|Aug 11, 2016

    THE BIG WOW The real estate market in Seeley Lake is booming. Perfect financial times have caused several factors to affect the market in a big way. Interest rates for home loans are at all- time lows, the stock market is near all-time highs, home equity is increasing with rising property values nationwide and buyer confidence is high. These factors have resulted in a lot of available cash and ability to borrow cheap money. There has been a total value of $39 million worth of homes sold or placed under contract since August of 2015....

  • Building Entrepreneurs

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    MISSOULA - Seeley Lake Trailblazers and Potomac Valley 4-H market projects will be available for purchase at this year's Western Montana Fair 4H & FFA Livestock Sale. The market livestock sale is scheduled Saturday, Aug. 13. The steer purchased by Seeley Lake Trailblazer Mark Teague last fall before Teague passed away at age 16 will also be available for purchase. All the proceeds raised from the sale of the animal will go into a scholarship to help future 4-Hers get started on a market...

  • Montana Followed Meandering Path to Statehood

    Aug 11, 2016

    From "Montana A History of Two Centuries" by Michael P. Malone, Richard R. Roeder and William L. Lang. Reprinted by permission of the University of Washington Press Arriving in Washington, D.C., Judge Sidney Edgerton consulted with President Lincoln and found him agreeable to the idea of a new territory in the Rockies. More important, Edgerton discovered that his friend and fellow Ohioan Congressman James M. Ashley had already begun work on a bill to form the new territory. Ashley, who chaired...

  • Keller Made Recommendations for Growth Plan Process

    Colleen Kesterson, Pathfinder|Aug 11, 2016

    SWAN VALLEY - Swan Valley resident John Keller spoke about his observations of the Missoula County growth plan process and gave his recommendations to help improve the Swan Valley Regional Plan (SVRP) at the Swan Valley Regional Planning Committee meeting Aug. 3. Chair Ken Donovan said he invited Keller to speak about what he has learned about the county plan and how it can be applied to the Swan Valley growth plan. Donovan said, “John has been to most of the [Missoula County Growth Plan] meetings and I think his observations will benefit o...

  • When Right is Wrong

    William Campbell, Elder, Mission Bible Fellowship|Aug 11, 2016

    In this current age we hear time and again a litany of rights. As individuals we sometimes insist on being right. We tell ourselves that others agree with us and therefore we are in the right and thus justified in our actions. But where does right begin and where does it end? In Matthew Chapter 5, Jesus draws a distinction between man’s law and God’s law. He points out that though we may be right in man’s eyes we may be wrong in God’s eyes. He points out, “Verily I say to thee, thou shalt by no means come out thence, till thou have paid the...

  • Paul Hammerel 1999 ~ 2016

    Aug 11, 2016

    SWAN VALLEY - Paul Hammerel, 17-years-old of Condon, Mont., passed away Aug. 1 in an automobile accident. Paul was born April 21, 1999 in Red Lodge, Mont. to Brandy Meyer and Mike Hammerel. At a young age he learned how to play and love the cello. Being a part of Skyview Orchestra in Billing, Mont. was a highlight of his life. He spent most of his free time skate boarding with his friends Austin, DJ and Zane. Paul moved to the Swan Valley where he found an interest in the bass guitar. He also... Full story

  • Anneliese "Ann" K. Kennedy 1924 ~ 2016

    Aug 11, 2016

    SEELEY LAKE - Anneliese K. Kennedy, 91, passed away early Saturday morning at Missouri River Nursing Home in Great Falls, Mont. Anneliese was born in Stettin, Germany Nov. 30, 1924, a town later destroyed in World War II. Fortunate to have vacated on a Red Cross train where she served as a nurse and meeting her beloved husband George Kennedy (30 years of service in the U.S. Air Force) in 1950, where he was stationed at the time in Germany. He preceded her in death after 50 years of marriage in... Full story

  • Community Briefs

    Aug 11, 2016

    Relationship Between Seeley Lake Elementary School and SLE Outside on Agenda for Next Board Meeting SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) School Board of Trustees will be discussing the relationship between SLE and SLE Outside at their August board meeting, Aug. 16 at 5:30 p.m. in the SLE computer lab. The public is invited to attend. Seeley-Swan Community Food Bank Closed Fifth Tuesdays SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley-Swan Community Food Bank will be closed Tuesday, Aug. 30. It will resume re...