Articles from the December 28, 2017 edition


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  • Driftriders Ready for Season with Second Groomer

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Driftriders Snowmobile Club will have a better edge this winter adding a second club-owned groomer to their fleet and a new groomer shed at the Westside Bypass Trailhead. After 10 years of planning, the 2012 Park 400 Pistonbully arrived Dec. 4 and is set to hit the trails. The Driftriders' grooming program is grant-funded. The gas tax, trail stickers and out-of-state stickers go into a state-controlled fund from which the club receives approximately $16,000 to f...

  • Protest Falls Short, Sewer Moves Forward

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Sewer Board voted to levy special assessment after receiving protest letters from less than 50 percent of landowners at their Dec. 21 meeting. Three board directors are up for election in May of 2018. The special assessments will raise $5.79 million to fund construction of the district's wastewater treatment plant and Phase 1 of the collection system. The rest of the funding for the $15.7 million project has already been secured from various granting federal and...

  • Partnership Helps Save Local Osprey Nest

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake Elementary junior high gathered in the snow and sleet Dec. 19 as Missoula Electric Cooperative installed a new 45-foot pole and osprey nesting platform on the corner of Riverview Drive and Highway 83. The effort was a partnership between SLE junior high science teacher Patti Bartlett Gladstone and her students, who have been taking an in-depth look at ospreys and businesses Missoula Electric Cooperative and Pyramid Mountain Lumber. Bartlett Gladstone was one of five t...

  • Tips for Avoiding Seasonal Scammers

    Dan Rogers, MEC Manager of Member Services|Dec 28, 2017

    While the holiday season is certainly a time of generosity toward others, there are some who view this goodwill as an opportunity to separate you from your hard-earned money. While there are a great number of scams floating around, those involving perpetrators posing as utility employees are of particular relevance for Missoula Electric Cooperative (MEC) and its members. Below are some of the more common schemes which come and go around the country each year. Over the past several years, we have received reports of members getting phone calls...

  • Students Be-Bopping Christmastime in Potomac

    Sigrid Olson, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    POTOMAC - Wintertime woods with birds, deer, Christmas trees, snowflakes and a snowman framed the stage while hats and tropical leis flew through the air for the annual Holiday Program at Potomac/Greenough Community Center Dec. 20. From third grade's "Winter Walk" skit, the eighth grade's "Let it Snow" and the fifth-graders' movie "Run, Run Rudolph," the audience was entertained. They used the intermission to refresh on Christmas treats and drinks and peruse the auction items. The students...

  • A Huge "Shout Out" to the Students and Town of Seeley Lake!

    Carol June Lehnerz, Power, Mont.|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - My daughter, who is a second grade teacher, high school volleyball coach and serves in the Army National Guard, was called to duty fighting the Rice Ridge Fire the end of August through the first part of September. She had to leave her husband, classroom and volleyball team, however, she was ready to go and protect the town of Seeley. She was treated very well by the community members young and old and in-between! On one of her first days on duty, two teenage girls brought my daughter and her battle buddy milkshakes on a very hot...

  • Pathfinder Welcomes "Scoop"

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake native Heather Layman has joined the Pathfinder staff. Layman, already affectionately nicknamed Scoop for her role at the Rich Ranch and now news reporter, is looking forward to reconnecting with the communities and getting to know the new people in the area while reconnecting with old faces and continuing to improve her photography skills. Layman was born and raised in Seeley Lake. She graduated from Seeley-Swan High School in 1995 and always loved reading and w...

  • Controlling Personalities

    Ken Silvestro PhD.|Dec 28, 2017

    I think we all know what it means to control a situation or a pet. Basically, it means the person expressing control dominates through commands, ideas, behaviors and aggression. And control can be applied externally and internally-in relationships and individually. Since we possess consciousness, that is awareness, we have a natural need to control the events in our lives and ourselves. Conscious control enables us to produce order, organize, be disciplined and dictate our free wills. For...

  • County Survey Seeks Input on How to Improve Services During Evacuations

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE - During the Rice Ridge Fire, the Missoula County Office of Emergency Management saw fairly low usage of shelters for evacuated people from the Seeley Lake area. Residents are asked to fill out a two-page survey to help them improve disaster planning and services by understanding more about where evacuated families went and why they made the choices they did. OEM Projects Coordinator Nick Holloway said the use of the shelter in Missoula was very low during the Rice Ridge Fire evacuations. Once OEM realized that the shelter at Camp...

  • Activities Recap and Winter Activities Planned

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – After a successful Flu Shot Clinic Dec. 11 and the Tree Lighting Ceremony Dec. 16, the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District is gearing up for more training and events this winter. The board also approved a three percent raise for District Administrator Lynn Richards and opened the maintenance position. Fire Chief Michael Greer said that 25 people took advantage of the flu shots offered by the Missoula County Health Department. They also did four lead screenings at the clinic. Greer said they were interested in offering the service a...

  • Back in the Saddle...Business

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – From Michigan to Montana, Seeley Lake resident Angelo Pecora continues to pursue his dream of making saddles. Clearwater River Saddle Company is a custom saddle and repair shop offering quality leather goods including saddles, holsters, sheaths, belts and wallets made in Pecora's one man shop. Even though his name has changed over the years, his goal is still the same, to build a saddle that will "fit you like a glove." Pecora has always been interested in old time skills and c...

  • Swan Valley Student Santa Letters

    Dec 28, 2017

    Kindergarten: Dear Santa, I want a big Santa sleigh. I want a toy reindeer. Love, Rabecca Klassen Dear Santa, Hao er u? I want a bicycle. Lav, Kaleesi Phillips First Grade: Dear Santa - How are you dowig and yoru Elfs? I wood like a toy car. Ethan Kennedy Dear Santa, How are you doing? Are your reindeer good? Wood you get me som nerf gun bullets? You are the best and can you get me a beanbag please and tank you. You are the best. Love, Camden Gleason Second Grade: Dear Santa, If You exist what...

  • Recalling a Most Memorable Christmas

    Dec 28, 2017

    Kathy Koors of Condon said, "I think I was in first grade and I got a puppy. I've been turned on to dogs ever since." Koors couldn't help adding another wonderful memory, "I went skiing with a friend way up by the Cold Lake trailhead under a full moon during Christmas. The moon was brilliant, a lovely ski." * * * * * Diann Ericson of Condon said she and her husband Mike Childs had a very memorable Christmas when they were teaching up in the Northwest Arctic. They had not been residents long...

  • Who Brings Holiday Presents?

    Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    Part 1 of this series on holiday gift-givers talked about Saints and Santas, Part 2 about The Three Kings. Part 3 about Baby Jesus or Christkind. Part 4 will discuss Non-Christian Gift-Givers Though the December holiday season is generally thought of in terms of Christmas and its surrounding Christian-oriented celebrations, for some groups and predominantly non-Christian countries, other traditions are sometimes connected with gift-givers. Many of these countries draw their traditions from pre-C...

  • Mitchell Retires After 50 Years in Merchandising

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – Rovero's Store Manager Pat Mitchell is retiring after 50 years in the retail business. Mitchell felt he created a laid back atmosphere for the customers and employees at Rovero's while bringing in a diversity of products. He is looking forward to travelling in his retirement. After moving to Seeley Lake in 1999 Mitchell worked as the manager for Wold's Valley Market. Mitchell knew owner Bruce Wold from when he worked in Chinook, Washington as a retail merchandiser for Buttrey Food...

  • SLE Winter Concert Shows Musical Gradation

    Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – From kindergarten through Middle School Band, music teacher Kristen Cottom directed Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) students through a concert of winter-themed music Dec. 19. At the same time, she gave parents an overview of the music exposure their children will be introduced to as they progress through SLE. The kindergartners were shy as they fidgeted on the risers and gazed at the bleachers crowded with a few familiar faces and a whole bunch of strange ones. Some were so absorbed w...

  • Home Alone Plays to Packed House

    Colleen Kesterson, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SALMON PRAIRIE - The Salmon Prairie students did their interpretation of the film "Home Alone" on Dec. 19 at the Salmon Prairie School. Holl Hubbard teaches all eight grades at the one-room Salmon Prairie School. Hubbard's wife Stayce said that because the enrollment has gone up to seven students this year there were more family and friends at the performance. "It was standing room only," Stayce said. The students wrote their script and created their scenery and props beginning in...

  • Used Bookstore Comes to Life

    Heather Layman, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    OVANDO - Sunset and Ovando Elementary Schools collaborated again this holiday season performing the story of "The Enchanted Bookshop: A Likely Story" Dec. 21. Characters of familiar childhood books and novels came to life at night inside the used bookstore. Six of those characters longed to help Margie, the bookstore owner, save her business. When trouble appeared for Margie in the form of thieves looking for a necklace hidden in one of her books, the characters worked together to help Margie....

  • Lions Bring Christmas Blessing to Locals

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – More than a dozen Seeley Lake Lions Club members delivered holiday baskets to 28 families in the area, Dec. 20. Cory's Valley Market employees packed the boxes with all the ingredients for a full turkey dinner including a turkey, milk, potatoes, vegetables, cranberries, rolls and pumpkin pie....

  • Health Officials Report Increase in Influenza Activity

    Dec 28, 2017

    Local and state public health officials are seeing an increase in influenza activity across the state, with nearly 200 new cases, 40 hospitalizations and several outbreaks reported over the past two weeks. Reported cases are slightly higher than this time last year; however, influenza activity typically does increase in December. Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) officials are encouraging all Montanans to take some precautions when traveling this holiday season. Influenza is a respiratory illness with symptoms that may...

  • Raffle Raises $1,435 for Trevino Family

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Dec 28, 2017

    SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake landowners John and Lizzi Rice won the 53-inch bear, pedal car and bag of toys in the raffle for Addy Trevino. Doug Richards organized the raffle that raised $1,435 for the Trevino family. Tickets were sold at Rovero's and at the Tree Lighting Celebration Dec. 16. The Trevinos really enjoyed the Tree Lighting Celebration held by the Seeley Lake Fire Department and loved seeing the community come together. "There are dark moments in this illness and these events come a...

  • Not Too Late for a New Start

    Craig Wilson, Pastor - Mission Bible Fellowship|Dec 28, 2017

    A widely accepted adage says, “You can’t teach an old dog new tricks.” This statement tries to get us to accept that as time goes on, it’s too late to make a change. Many enjoy the Discovery Channel show, “Mythbusters”, which takes on widely believed assumptions and attempts to disprove them. One of my favorite episodes challenges the above-mentioned adage head-on. The hosts found an aging pair of Alaskan malamutes who didn’t know a single trick in the book. Malamutes are also known for the...

  • Community Briefs

    Dec 28, 2017

    Snowmobile Grooming and Avalanche Advisories Underway The Seeley Lake Driftriders Snowmobile Club started grooming the snowmobile trail system around Seeley Lake this past week. The grooming of the trail system by the Driftriders is permitted by the Lolo National Forest and supported by the Montana Department of Fish Wildlife and Parks. Under the Special Use permit administered by the Forest Service, the Seeley Lake Driftriders may begin grooming any time after Dec. 1. Driftriders Grooming Chairman Shawn Ellinghouse said to start off the...