Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 27
SEELEY LAKE – While swimming with his family this summer, someone came over to introduce themselves to Seeley Lake resident Chris Mauldin. Without thinking about social distancing, Mauldin, who is deaf when not wearing hearing aids, leaned in and asked the person to speak directly into his ear. He later recognized that his default way to communicate is no longer acceptable. The social norms that allowed for close proximity and being able to engage in public without a face covering are c... Full story
SEELEY LAKE – With hunting season just around the corner Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Bear and Lion Specialist Jamie Jonkel wants to remind hunters and others out recreating to carry bear spray and be aware. For those living in and around Seeley Lake, he also asks them to secure their garbage and other attractants and stop feeding deer and birds. He estimates there are 50 different black bears and 15-20 grizzly bears around Seeley Lake including two female grizzlies with this year's cubs. "...
SEELEY LAKE – With the sun setting behind the Mission Mountains and live music playing on the porch of the Double Arrow Lodge, customers couldn't help but enjoy a beautiful summer evening. Ever since Double Arrow reopened following COVID-19 closures, a local group of acoustic musicians have been jamming to their favorite songs for members of the community and visitors alike every Tuesday night on the porch of the Lodge. "We just do it for fun, a chance to play and hopefully it brings people t...
When COVID-19 safety protocols shifted whole sectors of the health care industry from in-person visits to a telehealth model, Arjun and Hannah Verma watched their parents - a pulmonologist and a cardiologist - fret about some of their elderly patients who were unprepared for the switch. The elder Vermas were concerned that their patients who didn't own camera-enabled devices or know how to use videoconferencing platforms would be forced to forgo critical care. Arjun and Hannah, who live in...
Concerning the Letter to the Editor from Leslie Lee admonishing me for trivializing trichotillomania (hair pulling compulsion). I am terribly sorry for referring to this disorder so flippantly in my Funky Phrase article. It was extremely insensitive of me to ignore the fact that trichotillomania is debilitating for sufferers. Please accept my apology. I will work harder to be more sensitive to issues like this in the future. Betty Vanderwielen Reporter, Seeley Swan Pathfinder...
In the Letter to the Editor entitled “More empathy required in reporting” by Leslie Lee Aug. 27 she states, “The article “Pulling Your Hair Out” published Aug. 13, 2020 about trichotillomania contains inaccuracies that should be clarified. This is a debilitating disorder, and to refer to it as something people do because their plans fell apart [furthers stigma and shame] that prevent people from seeking help.” Accurately (and without the above prejudicial terms), it misinformed. “Stigma and shame” (in the above response) add to the misinformat...
Dear friends, neighbors and members of the Missoula County Medical Community, When our lives changed dramatically on Nov. 16, 2019 due to Diann’s stroke, dozens upon dozens of individuals rushed to aid our family. First responders arrived and in quick succession so did the ambulance crew, doctors, nurses and hospital staff. Friends allowed me to stay in their homes in Missoula. Others in Condon cared for our dogs, safeguarded our home and many traveled in from the Swan Valley to offer hopeful messages and give us the benefit of our c...
Nowadays, politics in Washington creates a lot more problems than it solves—we’ve been led to believe that every issue, big or small, is an all-out battle for the soul of our country. But, quite frankly, when you take a step back from the dysfunction coming from the Capitol and spend some time in the great outdoors, these knock-down, drag-out fights start to fall apart at the seams. You find out that the neighbors you disagree with usually want the same things you do. And that’s why the Blackfoot Clearwater Stewardship Act is so special: it br...
SEELEY LAKE – Entering through a single entrance, Seeley Lake Market attendees put on their masks and stopped to visit with Amaya Harman. Harman patiently explained the contact tracing form and answered any questions. Then visitors were able to visit with their favorite vendors each week following the one-way isle through the Market. While Market Manager Rachelle Harman and Seeley Lake Community Foundation Past President Carla Schade said it was a different Market this year due to COVID restrict...
This September I'd like to highlight three excellent programs available to us which can enhance our lives and those we care for. First, Missoula Aging Services is offering two Virtual Caregiver Support Groups which offer a safe place for caregivers to share experiences, advice and practical strategies for managing caregiver responsibilities during the pandemic. All caregivers are welcome, including dementia caregivers. You can participate online or by phone using ZOOM. The evening support group meets the second Monday of every month from 4-5...
There is confusion within the Seeley Lake community understanding what really happens during a 911 medical call. I hope that the following information will help people understand. When 911 is called for a medical emergency the system is activated. The 911 dispatcher will ask several questions of the caller to utilize the Emergency Medical Dispatch protocols. Reference cards are used to follow the correct protocols. Once the information is gathered, the dispatcher will notify the appropriate...
SEELEY LAKE – Join with the Seeley Lake Community Foundation and your neighbors Sept. 15 from 6 – 8 p.m. the Reimagining Rural Community Gathering, an invigorating series of community talks, at the Tamaracks Resort Outdoor Woodland Venue, 3481 Highway 83 north of Seeley Lake (weather and COVID dependent). These free events are open for anyone to attend, although attendance will be capped at 50 people in the outdoor venue. COVID-19 safety measures will be in place to keep everyone safe and com...
If you've turned on the TV in Montana recently, you've probably been bombarded with advertisements propping up-or tearing down-candidates for political office. Each contender claims they're the best choice to uphold "Montana values." But what does that mean? Who is that promise for? And how do those unspoken values shape Montana's politics? In the new podcast "Shared State," Montana Free Press, Montana Public Radio and Yellowstone Public Radio will bring listeners along for a deeper look at the...
HELMVILLE – Despite nearly half of the Northern Rodeo Association (NRA) rodeos canceled this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the Helmville Rodeo Club is looking forward to hosting their 56th annual two-day Labor Day rodeo Sept. 6 and Sept. 7 starting at 1 p.m. both days. Because the NRA finals were canceled, this is the final rodeo in the NRA Tour 2020. The best of the best NRA cowboys and cowgirls are expected to participate as well as local favorites in the mini bull riding, mutton busting and barrel racing. The Club has been busy e...
SEELEY LAKE - On the afternoon of Aug. 21st, 2020 Timothy John Davis tragically lost his life in a rollover accident on a quiet gravel road in central Montana. Tim was always happy to be in this world and his jovial spirit was infectious to all of those around him. He was able to find joy no matter the task and was always ready with a good story to tell, re-written song lyrics or funny made-up words. Co-workers, family and friends were all blessed by the perpetual cheer that emanated from the... Full story
OVANDO - Woodrow W. Needles Jr. died Aug. 20 at Riverside Health Care in Missoula. He was the son of Woodrow Sr. and Lulabelle Sample Needles. He had siblings Barbara, Beverly, Wallace, and Janice and several nieces and nephews. Woodrow worked at mining in Phillipsburg, Montana and California. Logging in California and Montana, he was a mechanic around Helmville and Ovando, where he made his home with his wife Elizabeth of 65 years and family Arlene, Julie and twins Teddy and Terry. Terry died in 1980. Cremation has taken place and memorial... Full story
Many moons ago there was a big burn over in Orchard country central Washington. Up in the mountains it fried most all the pine. There we were, crawl'n around try'n to salvage the timber. While look'n for a place to stay I heard about an old bunkhouse that was owned by a Apple Grove man. The fire crews used it, also, the apple pickers in the fall. Well, I figured if it was good enough for migrant workers it was good enough for me, see'n I was quite migratory myself. Another cutter on the job was...
For any gardener who has used, or wants to use, an electric shredder for chopping garden debris and turning it into mulch, here is updated information: For years I have used chopped garden plants-even weeds, if they had not yet made seeds-to cover every bit of bare soil in my gardens. Finally, I wore out my shredder and then discovered that a replacement was impossible to find. All the electric "chipper/shredders" are just chippers, useful for dry branches but nothing soft or green. After a...
SEELEY LAKE - Closures are starting to lift on the Forest Services roads around Seeley Lake as work is completed. Dunham Creek Road #4388 is open to the Lodgepole Trailhead just as hunting season opens. The contractor who did the work in Lodgepole Creek moved over into Shanley Creek to open the road from a slide earlier this summer which should be open soon as well. The Upper Cottonwood Road work was completed in July. Morrell Creek is also another area of focus. According to Seeley Lake...
SWAN VALLEY - The Flathead National Forest is seeking public input on a draft Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for a 174,000 acre landscape level project to restore forest conditions and reduce fuels in Swan Valley. The purpose of the Mid-Swan Landscape Restoration and Wildland Urban Interface Project (Mid-Swan Project) is two-fold: to restore and maintain key habitat for plant and animal species in light of a changing climate, and to reduce the risk of extreme wildfire adjacent to local communities. “The project is anchored in the e...
MISSOULA – The Missoula Resource Advisory Committee (RAC) is scheduled to meet on Sept. 8 at 3 p.m. virtually. The objectives of the meeting are to: • Approve meeting minutes as needed; • Discuss, recommend and approve new Title II projects and hear project proposal presentations as requested by the RAC; • Discuss and make recommendations on recreation fee proposals for sites located within Missoula County on the Lolo National Forest. At the conclusion of the meeting, the committee will recommend projects for funding under Title II of the Secur...
If the early history of Seeley Lake is intertwined with the lumber industry, the rise of the United States Forest Service is incontrovertibly intertwined with Seeley Lake and in particular with the Big Blackfoot Timber Sale of 1907-1910. Historian and member of the Camp Paxson Preservation Board Gary Williams has been researching that sale. The Seeley Swan Pathfinder will be bringing some of the interesting bits of information he has discovered about logging in the Seeley Lake area and also...
SEELEY LAKE - Walking on the campus of Dixie State University in St. George, Utah, Brian Bennion had the distinct impression, and a really good feeling, that becoming an English teacher would be the best choice for him. "At the time I had been debating what discipline I wanted to teach, but it wasn't until that point in time that I firmly decided to become an English teacher," said Bennion. Bennion is looking forward to bringing his love of learning, reading, research and drama to the classroom...
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley-Swan Lady Blackhawks volleyball team took to the court for the much anticipated season opener against Charlo Aug. 27. The Lady Blackhawks fell to Charlo in the first two sets 17-25 and 16-25 before coming back to take the third set 25-17. The fourth set was hard fought with neither team being able to build much advantage over the other. The Lady Blackhawks had a small lead mid way though but that would soon evaporate and Charlo took the set 20-25 to win the match. K...
Seeley Lake Library News SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Library has resumed curbside service and is currently open after school on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 3:30 - 6 p.m. In accordance with local COVID-19 directives, upon arriving at the library, patrons are asked to call 677-8995 to arrange pickup of their items. If driving, library patrons are asked to stay in their vehicles. All items returned curbside or to the book drop will show as “checked out” on user accounts for a while. Items are currently quarantined a minimum of four b...
