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    Pathfinder Staff|Feb 8, 2024

    Thirty-five years ago ... Thursday Feb. 9, 1989 Centennial 500 Mushers headed this way Bruce Graham, Seeley Lake, will be one of several mushers competing in the Governor's Cup 500 sled dog race starting Saturday in Helena to Holland Lake Lodge and back. Renamed the Montana Centennial Sled Dog Race in recognition of the State's Centennial, mushers will be urging their dogs in the longest race in the lower 48 states. An endurance race, mushers will follow trails that exceed 7,000 feet in...

  • Ice Skating rink at elementary open

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 25, 2024

    The Ice Skating rink is now open to the public for the winter season. Garry Swan, President of Seeley Lake ROCKS, said the rink has developed great ice with the recent chilly temperatures. Rules for the rink are posted on the shed near the rink, but Swain reminded folks to hang up skates and helmets when not in use, shovel snow off the surface when needed and of course, to have fun. Swain and Seeley Swan High School senior Connor Chadwick do most of the maintenance. He also thanked Andi Bourne...

  • Highway 200 open after 30-car pileup

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 25, 2024

    Highway 200 just after the Helmville turnoff stood closed for several hours Jan 21. after a massive pileup of cars halted any access to the road. Luckily, law enforcement reported no injuries with the incident. The Montana Highway Patrol reported early on Sunday that freezing rain created extremely dangerous conditions at mile marker 57 on Highway 200, about 1.5 miles east of the Montana Highway 141 junction. Traffic was diverted eastbound onto Highway 141, while westbound traffic rerouted through Highway 279 through Helena. The closure...

  • Local college students graduate, make Dean's Lists

    Pathfinder Staff|Feb 9, 2023

    There were several local students who were among University of Montana 800 graduates and 851 graduates from Montana State University for fall semester 2022. Many others made the Dean’s List from their respective universities and colleges. Local UM degree candidates were: • Helmville: Jordan Jarrell, Bachelor of Arts: Mathematics • Seeley Lake: Amaya Harman, Associate of Arts: General AA and Christopher Mood, Bachelor of Arts: Classics, CUM LAUDE (GPA of 3.40 to 3.69) The local MSU degree candidate was Ethan Town from Potomac. Town gradu...

  • Brighten your day with Good Times Floral

    Pathfinder Staff|Feb 2, 2023

    SEELEY LAKE - After working in day care and preschool for 30 years, Margaret Clark was ready for a career change. Her love of bright colors and artistic ability blossomed after becoming a certified florist in December 2020. In partnership with Good Times Gifts Owner Dena Turner, Clark opened Good Times Floral within Good Times Gifts to serve the community with quality floral arrangements at an affordable price. Clark never considered herself an artist. "All through high school I would dread...

  • Foster grandparent program ends, opens new opportunities

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 26, 2023

    SEELEY LAKE - Pearl Hawkins was devastated when she learned Missoula Aging Services was discontinuing the Foster Grandparent program Jan. 31. Now 80-years-old, Hawkins was the longest-serving MAS foster grandparent in Missoula County working with the Seeley Lake Elementary preschool for 18 years. Hawkins was nearly in tears as the SLE staff hugged her and told her they would figure out how to keep her. As of Jan. 3, SLE hired her to continue her work in the preschool as a paraprofessional....

  • Seeley-Swan sends Pirates home empty handed

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 26, 2023

    SEELEY LAKE - Seeley-Swan defended their home court from the Victor Pirates Jan. 22. The Lady Blackhawks wasted no time keeping the Pirates at bay outscoring them 18-3 in the first quarter and finished them off 54-18. Two Lady Blackhawks scored into the double digits with Kyla Conley putting up 13 points and Emily Maughan scoring 10. Rilyn Richardson was dialed in from the free throw line hitting a perfect 4 of 4. In the Boys game, the Pirates gave the Blackhawks a little more grief, mainly from...

  • Planting seeds of friendship and kindness

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 19, 2023

    SEELEY LAKE - Attendees at the Missoula Children's Theatre production of "Johnny Appleseed" Jan. 13 experienced the fruitful career of Johnny Appleseed as performed by Seeley Lake Elementary kindergarten through eighth grade students. MCT Tour Directors Joshua Bennett and Christian Watts worked with a cast and crew of more than 30 students. After auditioning Monday and practicing after school all week, Friday evening friends and family watched as Johnny Appleseed sang and danced his way across...

  • Food Bank recovers from flooding, reopening Jan. 14 

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 12, 2023

    SEELEY LAKE - When Seeley Swan Community Food Bank President Lulu Rodriguez opened the door to the Food Bank Monday evening, Dec. 26, water poured out the door. "There was two to three inches of water [in the front room] and then it was gushing from [the back storage room]," said Food Bank Volunteer Coordinator Sally Johnson. Seeley Lake Elementary School Superintendent Josh Gibbs said a pipe broke in two places spraying water for one to three days. This affected the school's storage area and...

  • Seeley Lake Ice Rink open for fifth year

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 12, 2023

    SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Ice Rink is ready for skaters. "The more the better," said Seeley Lake Regional Outdoor Center for Kinetic Sports (ROCKS) President Garry Swain. Located in the north baseball field behind Seeley Lake Elementary, the rink is open for free skate seven days a week and is lit until 9 p.m. There are free skates available in the shed that is unlocked 9 a.m. - 9 p.m. ROCKS asks that people only use the skates on the rubber mats in the dugout and on the ice and hang them...

  • Kindness helps reindeer take flight

    Pathfinder Staff|Jan 5, 2023

    SWAN VALLEY - While all the reindeer cadets attending the School of Reindeer in the North Pole thought flying would be a piece of cake, they quickly realized it was not as easy as it looked and Reindeer Cadet Angel (Jade Arnold) was disappointed there was no cake. Despite sub-zero temperatures the evening of Dec. 21, the gymnasium was packed for the Swan Valley School's performance of "How to Train Your Reindeer (to Fly)." Professor Atticus Antler (Kalli Braulik) and Schoolmaster Joe Buck (Stets...

  • Good samaritan killed while helping free vehicle

    Staff Report|Dec 29, 2022

    A 60-year-old woman was killed after being struck by a vehicle on Wednesday night, Dec. 21, while stopping to assist in a vehicle slide-off on Hwy. 200 near Potomac. Montana State Trooper Wes Whitlatch said that the initial call of a non-injury slide-off near mile marker 18 came in at about 6:30 p.m. Whitlatch said a family in a pick-up truck and a woman driving an SUV stopped to help. The man was underneath the snow-trapped vehicle hooking up a tow strap and the woman was standing near the shoulder when a 68-year-old male driving an SUV...

  • Spreading Holiday cheer, humor

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 29, 2022

    GREENOUGH - Santa (Adam Wilson) slumped in his chair announcing "I have lost my ho, ho, ho." Mrs. Claus and Head Elf Gumball (Sera Benton) called in all the elves and reindeer to see if they could cheer him up to no avail. While Santa did not even crack a smile during Sunset School's production of "When Santa Lost His Ho, Ho, Ho" Dec. 19, those in attendance filled the Paws Up Bull Barn with laughter at the antics. The elves and reindeer offered Christmas jokes, sweet treats, reindeer games,...

  • Ho, Ho, Ho-liday spirit fills Swan Valley

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 29, 2022

    SWAN VALLEY - "Thank you Santa" said one little boy as hugged the new stuffed animal Santa gave him. His eyes lit up when Santa took him over to the tree decorated with toy cars and trucks and helped him pick out another gift. "Merry Christmas," Santa said. Santa's Village was hustling and bustling again this year as people came from as far as South Carolina to have breakfast with Santa Saturday, Dec. 17. The Falls Creek Ranch in the Swan Valley hosted the annual event Thursday, Friday and...

  • "Holiday Traditions" fills SSHS with Holiday Spirit

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 22, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE - Old-time Christmas carols and favorite holiday music filled the Seeley-Swan High School auditorium Tuesday night, Dec. 13 as students from Seeley Lake Elementary and SSHS musicians performed to a packed house. The junior high and high school bands and choirs shared "Holiday Traditions," many familiar and other not, dating from the 16th century to current. Music Director Janet Morgenstern joked that she packed all of her favorite music into one concert. She commended the students...

  • Nothing like an appearance from 'Elfis' to teach the value of friendship

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 22, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE - When Elfis (Lane Brovold) took the stage at Seeley Lake Elementary Thursday, Dec. 8, all the second grade elves and first grade reindeer cheered. But when Santa (Liam O'Brien) promised him a band with backup singers, Elfis was through the roof. Little did he know the turmoil that would come when the backup singers Aretha (Castielle Casey), Mariah (Henlie Kenney) and Celine (Olivia Bourne) vied for the spotlight and the band members picked sides. When Elfis teamed up with Santa for...

  • Volunteers wrap Loving Hearts Toy Sale with love

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 15, 2022

    By Pathfinder Staff SEELEY LAKE - By 5:25 p.m. Tuesday, Dec. 7, the lobby at Mission Bible Fellowship was full. This year's annual Loving Hearts Toy Sale drew more than 100 people who, within a half an hour of the doors opening at 5:30 p.m., had Christmas gifts for their loved ones purchased and wrapped. With nearly 20 tables full of toys and everything priced under $5 with few exceptions, the season of gift giving was a little more affordable for many local families. One volunteer recalled an...

  • Blackhawks soar in first home victories

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 15, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley-Swan High School basketball teams kicked off their season with sweeping wins at their first home game Dec. 10. The Blackhawks' soared over Hot Springs in a 68-41 victory. The Lady Blackhawks kept the momentum going and defeated the Savage Heat 61-23....

  • Student businesses ready to launch at Blackhawk BIZ Market Day

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 1, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley-Swan High School Entrepreneur Class has been talking about Market Day since the first day of school. Now their mini businesses are a reality and will make their debut during the second annual Blackhawk BIZ Market Day from 10 a.m. - 6 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 10, in the SSHS Cafeteria. The high school students are excited to offer their homemade goodies, hand-made crafts, jewelry and apparel, and unique art created from various mediums. With the class size more than doubling...

  • Old West Christmas returns to Ovando

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 1, 2022

    Ovando hosted the annual Old West Christmas event Friday, Nov. 25. Along with the visit from Cowboy Claus, the event included a artisans and craft fair, family activities, gingerbread house creation and a petting zoo. This year there was also a Barn Garage Sale and other yummy treats for sale throughout town....

  • Blackhawks recognize fall athletes

    Pathfinder Staff|Dec 1, 2022

    by Pathfinder Staff Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) hosted its fall sports awards banquet Nov. 14 at SSHS. Cross country, football and volleyball athletes were recognized for their participation and performance during the season. Each player received a letter after participating in the required number of varsity games or meets. They received a pin for every activity for which they meet the varsity requirements. For every year they meet the varsity requirements after receiving their pin in a...

  • Veterans Day

    Pathfinder Staff|Nov 17, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE & SWAN VALLEY: The Veterans and Families of Seeley Lake and American Legion Post #63 in the Swan Valley hosted their annual Veterans Day ceremonies Nov. 11 at 11 a.m. Both ceremonies were followed by a lunch for the veterans and their families. President Barbara Knopp led this year's ceremony in Seeley Lake. She focused on the importance and sacrifices made by soldiers fighting for freedom. She summed up her thoughts with two words, "Thank you!." During the lunch in the Swan Valley,...

  • Lovato no longer Pathfinder Editor

    Staff, Seeley Swan Pathfinder|Nov 10, 2022

    Mr. Lovato is no longer employed by the Seeley Swan Pathfinder, owned by Ponderosa Publications. We have started the search for a new editor and appreciate the community's understanding and support as we work to fill this position.... Full story

  • COMMUNITY BRIEFS

    Staff Report

    Community Firewood Day CONDON – Swan Valley Connections is hosting our annual Community Firewood Day volunteer event! We’ll be splitting, delivering, and stacking wood for a full list of people in need in the Swan Valley community. Volunteers will meet at the Condon Work Center (MM 42.9 MT Hwy 83, Condon, MT 59826) at 9am foramndatory safety meeting. There will be a complimentary volunteer BBQ, sponsored by Mannix Family Grass-finished Beef, following the work day. Please bring your own lunch/snacks, ear and eye protection and gloves. Please we...

  • Hawks hang tough in home loss

    Staff Report, Pathfinder|Sep 29, 2022

    SEELEY LAKE -- The Blackhawks made a valiant run at visiting Lone Peak but fell short of victory in a non-league, home game Sept. 23 Lone Peak built a 33-point lead but the Seeley Swan High School School football team kept battling, scoring 22 second-half points before losing, 53-22, in front of a strong and supportive crowd. Two interceptions by sophomore linebacker James Hayhurst limited the Big Horn offense in the first half. SSHS falls to 1-3 after the non-league loss but lists 14...

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