Sorted by date Results 226 - 250 of 295
GREENOUGH - Sunset Elementary School students were busy on Thursday, Dec. 17 filming their scenes for "Christmas Sprinkles," a brand new anthological holiday program. Supervising Teacher Toni Hatten said she chose the collection of skits because the format could be virtually adapted had the school closed. However, she was glad the students could perform together, even though there was not an audience. "I'm so glad that we didn't have to [go virtual], because I'm not sure technically how we...
SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake Elementary School's third grade class was declared the winner of the school's annual door decoration contest with their snow globe compilation on Friday, Dec. 18. They will receive a hot cocoa bar when they get back from break. The sixth grade class came in second and the first graders came in third. They will respectively win a popcorn party and a treat bag. Organizer Toni Sexton said the intent of the contest was simply to do something fun and help bring a little...
SEELEY LAKE - Residents stopped by Tamaracks Resort's Seeley Lake cabin on Saturday Dec. 12 to take pictures with Santa as well as pick up a toy and stocking from Tamaracks' Giving Tree. The event also featured a bonfire, hot beverages and a raffle for prizes courtesy of Energy Partners. Winners were announced on the Resort's Facebook page. On one of the Christmas trees organizers hung envelopes containing free gift cards to Rovero's and Cory's Valley Market. Tamaracks Events Coordinator Tera...
SEELEY LAKE - Seeley Lake Elementary students spread Christmas cheer at their Winter Program on Friday, Dec. 11 inside the school's gym. K-12 Music Teacher Janet Morgenstern led the entire program including directing the band that incorporated Seeley-Swan High School students. Morgenstern said she was working under several limitations while leading the school's performances for the first time since joining the school in September. Under normal circumstances she would prefer to make larger...
SEELEY LAKE - Around 45 people passed through Mission Bible Fellowship on Tuesday, Dec. 8 to pick up some gifts at a heavy discount during Loving Hearts' annual Christmas Toy and Gift Sale. Loving Hearts Manager Mary Newpower said the event had to go forward despite COVID-19 because members of the community were depending on it to give their children toys for Christmas. Most of the products available cost anywhere from $0.50 - $4. "Our community is structured with so many people in service jobs...
Since Thanksgiving, radio and streaming platforms have begun overflowing with the gauntlet of holiday songs Americans have come to expect every year. Over the course of multiple holiday seasons, certain songs return again and again until they are integrated into the wider American population’s consciousness even outside the holiday season. Christmas carols have ventured beyond their exclusively religious contexts and have entered into more secular environments as technology, marketing and distribution have evolved to keep up with the s...
MISSOULA COUNTY - Missoula County updated attendees about 2021 open enrollment for the Health Insurance Marketplace during a virtual press conference on Wednesday, Dec. 2. The deadline to enroll is Dec. 15. Olivia Riutta is the outreach manager for Montana Primary Care Association as well as an author for Cover Montana, a project under said association. The project website provides information and “enrollment assisters” to help those interested choose what coverage works best for their situation. Riutta said Cover Montana and health care pro...
SEELEY LAKE - Families were able to pick up some extra holiday cheer at the third annual Reverse Giving Tree on Saturday, Dec. 5 at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. At the event, children were able to pick up a stocking and toy, write a letter to Santa, and even meet the big man himself. Toys, including stuffed animals, puzzles and books, were provided for free by Organizer and Montana Girl owner Sheila Czifro as well as donated by community members. Capacity was limited to 25 people at one time...
SEELEY LAKE - Trail Creek Merc co-owner Lynda Mickelson said the store's capacity was capped at 24 so some families had to briefly wait outside before meeting Santa Saturday, Nov. 28. Once they entered, children wrote what they wanted for Christmas in a letter to Santa. After meeting him, they received a jingle bell. "We just decided that Santa needed to come to the valley," Mickelson said. "Santa comes to our house every year and we just wanted to share that with the community." Santa said he...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Foundation recently received the full $2,000 grant they requested following the Reimagining Rural series. Communities were only able to apply for the grant if they participated in all three of the Reimagining Rural workshops. During the last session, attendees collectively decided to consolidate multiple community improvement ideas into Winterfest which will take place this upcoming winter. Most of the Winterfest activities have not yet been finalized but ideas for events included lighting up the town...
At the Cahoon Strong "Paint a Heart" Day fundraiser on Saturday, Nov. 28, attendees could either purchase a canvas to paint a heart or sponsor one with a donation. Organizer Kris Gullikson said they received several individual donations, one as high as $500. As of Saturday night, Gullikson said they raised $1,150, all of which was presented to the Cahoon family to provide relief for Wayne's passing and Christian's recovery following an airplane crash in September. "Thank you to all who came to...
SEELEY LAKE - Dr. Michela Reese will become Seeley Lake Chiropractic's new chiropractor towards the beginning of next year. She said she has not yet finalized the date she will begin but she intends for it to be sometime after Jan. 6. Her goals for her patients are to provide them with healthy biomechanics to eliminate their pain and discomfort as well as provide them with rehabilitation plans to prevent future injuries. For herself, she strives to consistently use evidence-based research to...
SEELEY LAKE - With every new year comes several factors that are inserted into an already complex economic landscape. The overall effect it will have on businesses such as grocery stores will not be known until the future, however what can be determined now is how grocery prices have changed in the last 30 years. On Sept. 26, 1990, Melody Spafford of Seeley Lake did the annual Price Check Comparison for the Valley Market in Seeley Lake. She compared their prices to three grocery stores in Missoula: Buttrey’s, Albertons and Tidyman’s. The pri...
The connection between Christmas and toys is a long-standing one. At one time, toys were handmade rather than store-bought. As society evolved, and technology along with it, superior materials, new forms of media and innovative production technology have changed the type of toys available. Some of these playthings become a fad for a short time, others come back year after year though sometimes in a changed form. One of the most beloved toys, the Teddy Bear traces its origins to a hunting trip wh...
MISSOULA - The Missoula County Board of Health unanimously voted in favor of adopting the Oct. 27 Health Officer Order with revisions. The order went into effect Friday, Nov. 20 and will remain in effect until revoked or revised. In addition to the already announced capacities on businesses and gatherings as well as required notice for events over 25, gatherings expecting 25-250 attendees must now provide a notice to the Health Department 10 days in advance. Gathering size limits do not apply to students in classrooms or at K-12 school-related...
POLSON - Lake County’s Solid Waste Board reviewed public comments made at an October County Commissioners public hearing in Swan Lake regarding the closure of the Porcupine Dump site, at Porcupine Creek along Highway 83, during their meeting at Polson City Court on Wednesday, Nov. 18. The Board originally recommended closing the site at their August meeting due to illegal dumping from contractor use, gate damage and vandalism. If closed, then residents would have to use the Ferndale Transfer Station site which is 13 miles away. Commissioners c...
Members of the Montana Department of Transportation and HDR summarized and answered public questions regarding the Salmon Lake Reconstruction Project during a presentation on Thursday, Nov. 19. The project area covers the length of Highway 83 along Salmon Lake from mouth to mouth stopping just short of the Placid Lake Road intersection. MDT Missoula District Administrator Bob Vosen said the design speed of the area is going to be 45 miles per hour and is not the same as a speed limit. The goals of the project are to widen the roadway,...
SEELEY LAKE - Sydney Young recently began her new position as Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) game warden for Seeley Lake and its surrounding areas. Young's main goal is to make sure hunters are aware of boundaries, respect private land, and are hunting safely and ethically. She hopes to maintain "a happy balance" between humans and wildlife. Young began her position on Oct. 24, taking over for Jake Barzen. FWP Region 2 Game Warden Captain Joe Jaquith said Young and Barzen both applied for...
MONTANA - Governor Steve Bullock announced on Tuesday that he would implement a new set of public health measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana beginning on Friday, Nov. 20. The measures would limit capacity in bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries and casinos to 50%; limit public gatherings to 25 individuals when social distancing is not possible; and require face coverings in all counties statewide regardless of case count. These establishments must also close no later than 10 p.m. with no more than six people per...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary School Board unanimously approved the Board Strategic Plan as it currently stands as well as reviewed other aspects of the school during their regular meeting on Monday, Nov. 19. Superintendent Josh Gibbs presented the Strategic Plan’s goals and respective measurable objectives on how the school can continuously improve itself going into the future. The District School Improvement Team has had one meeting so far and they intend to have another one next month with future meetings taking place on a m...
MISSOULA COUNTY - Local businesses have been affected on a spectral level since restrictions were implemented in March to mitigate the effects of COVID-19. Some saw an initial hit and began to recover throughout the summer tourist season while many others continue to struggle with coronavirus' ongoing financial impact. In an effort to capture the perceptions of tourism-related business owners and managers through the pandemic, the University of Montana's Institute for Tourism and Recreation...
SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan High School senior Klaire Kovatch signed a national letter of intent to throw discus, javelin and potentially weight and hammer for the Colorado State University Division 1 track and field team on Wednesday, Nov. 11. Kovatch said part of the reason she decided to sign with CSU was that it was relatively close to home with a major airport nearby and that they offered the degree she is looking to pursue which is food science and human nutrition. "I liked the idea that...
SEELEY LAKE - Respective House and Senate winners Mike Hopkins and Shannon O’Brien talked about the upcoming legislative session, their priorities during their time in office and what committees they would like to be a part of during the monthly Seeley Lake Community Council meeting on Monday, Nov. 9. Hopkins is the Republican District 92 State Representative. He said his primary concern going into office was the state’s economy and budget which were hit hard after the lockdown due to a stall in income taxes. The last four years, leg...
SEELEY LAKE - Over 20 residents came together to celebrate the lives and memories of those who served in the American military for Veterans Day on Wednesday, Nov. 11 at the Veterans Memorial Garden. Following a group prayer, Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake (VFSL) President Barbara Knopp made a speech honoring those who gave their time and lives during war. "We're here today to honor our service members past and present and to remember their sacrifices they have made and the courage it...
MONTANA - Governor Steve Bullock announced on Tuesday that he would implement a new set of public health measures intended to slow the spread of COVID-19 in Montana beginning on Friday, Nov. 20. The measures would limit capacity in bars, restaurants, breweries, distilleries and casinos to 50%; limit public gatherings to 25 individuals when social distancing is not possible; and require face coverings in all counties statewide regardless of case count. These establishments must also close no later than 10 p.m. with no more than six people per...
