Opinion / A Place For All
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A Historical Journey through Bob Marshall Country
It had been a long day on the trail in 1996 as I slowly worked my way toward the top of the ridge clearing downfall from the trail. When I reached the top of the ridge, the land opened up and the views were especially beautiful as the late evening...
AmeriCrops volunteers - Serving our communities
AmeriCorps is a network of local, state and national service programs. Over the last few years, Montana has proven that national service is something that is very important for our residents. In...
What's behind your label?
It has been said that the only constant thing is change itself. After 72 years of operations, Pyramid Mountain Lumber in Seeley Lake, Montana has seen its fair share of change. Like most small...
Food safety during a disaster
September is disaster preparedness month (Ready.gov). "Promoting Preparedness Through Public Involvement", is the goal of this year's national public service campaign. Natural disasters continue to...
Make plans for winter...now
As the seasons change, the town is slowing down. Now is the time to start thinking about preparing for the winter weather. Make sure that your skirting is intact and pipes are well insulated. Also, having your furnace serviced and chimney/stove pipe...
Seeley-Swan real estate hitting new highs
WHAT A DIFFERENCE THREE YEARS MAKES In 2018 and 2019 the local real estate market was healthy and predictable with very moderate price appreciation. Sales were consistent with no significant market increases either in total dollar volume sold or...
The Clearwater Valley in the midst of a waterlily invasion
A field of green greets both residents and visitors to many of the lakes in the Clearwater Valley. However, this is not the field of green you may be thinking of – This particular landscape lacks...
Can coexistence keep up with the bears?
Grizzly bears are not stationary creatures. With a range that historically stretched from the Pacific Coast across the Great Plains, bears evolved to thrive on many landscapes. Individual grizzlies...
Talkin' trash: Making an impact with Leave No Trace
Twelve years ago, while backpacking in broad daylight, I came around a shady bend in the trail, only to find a full moon beaming against a tree. "Oh, I'm sorry," the woman exclaimed, shuffling up her...
Missoula Electric Cooperative's approach to wildfire prevention
The Western United States has experienced some of the most devastating wildfires in the nation's history. In 2017, the wildfire season brought unique challenges for Montana. Not only was it exceptiona...
Blackfoot Challenge responds to fatal grizzly bear incident with community members
The recent death of Leah Lokan from a grizzly bear mauling while camping in Ovando on July 6 has reinforced the need to maintain and enhance efforts to protect human safety and to reduce conflicts...
Important questions to ask a potential real estate agent before listing your home
You're probably aware of the sweeping impact the pandemic had on the real estate market across the country. In our area, much of our inventory quickly sold. The lack of homes for sale has put...
Leaving no trace
Editor’s Note: Howard Copenhaver of Ovando wrote this in 1994. Copenhaver was 89 when he died in 2004. Howard’s daughter Sue Copenhaver Lapka gave permission to reprint this article in full. Before I can say much about “leaving no trace” in...
Enjoying the present and looking ahead
Summer is in full bloom. Across the West, our natural areas are experiencing unprecedented visitation. With things opening up and more people traveling farther from home, this trend is only expected to increase. Montana’s forestlands are no...
Double Arrow Ranch - Before the beginning: Our homesteaders
In comparison to many subdivisions in Western Montana, Double Arrow Ranch is a senior citizen. Opened in phases between 1973 and 1978, it coincided with Montana’s first attempt to regulate such developments, with the Subdivision and Platting Act...
Why we live here...it's for the recreation
Over the course of the past several months, especially with COVID-19 hovering and bringing us relentless malaise, it has become clear that living in this gorgeous area has been a blessing beyond words. There are many reasons we choose to live in...
AmeriCorps members commit to serving Seeley Lake's State Parks
The Seeley Lake State Parks have two new AmeriCorps members this season! AmeriCorps is a national service program that was formally created in 1993 with the signing of the National and Community...
Giving days and philanthropy
Community-wide giving campaigns are a growing trend in the nonprofit world. ‘Giving days’ wrapped up in most of the bigger cities around Montana in early May. The Seeley Lake Community Foundation is now running our month-long community giving...
Montana Loon Society 2021 Loon Watch
This past year has given us an even greater appreciation for our federal and state wildlife biologists and their interns as well as all the volunteers that kept looking out for loons and their...
Prepare now for wildfire season
May is National Wildfire Awareness Month and the Missoula County Fire Protection Association is encouraging property owners to begin preparing now for this year’s upcoming wildfire season. With some simple steps, you can prepare your home and...
The little known invasive threats to area wetlands
The Seeley-Swan area boasts an exceptional number of wetlands and variety of wetland types, from the giant lakes where loons and eagles chase fish to the wet meadows amongst the forests where rare...
Restoring the Blackfoot watershed one stream at a time
With spring in the air, it's time to dust off our field gear (or maybe thaw out is more appropriate) and get ready for another productive season working with landowners and our restoration partners...
Technology in the lumber industry
Have you ever driven a Tesla? It stretches the imagination to understand the technology which allows a car to drive on its own. Advances in technology have come a long way, not only in the automotive...
From the Fire Chief's desk
As the temperature warms, it is tempting to take advantage of the last days for ice fishing, do a little skating, or ice sailing for this season. Please be cautious and be aware of your surroundings....
Noxious weeds and the environment: A bigger picture
Although anyone who knows me knows that I'm a "certifiable" botany and native plants nerd, I love everything nature. In particular, I share a love of birds with one of my sisters. On a trip together...
