Articles from the January 23, 2020 edition


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  • Snowball fun for all ages

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – "And the winner is..." said auctioneer Dan Pate of Pate Auctions after the winning ticket for the 2020 Khaos 850 was drawn. Anne Micklitz of Seeley Lake went home with the 2020 Khaos 850 and Spencer Graveley won the 2019 custom Built Polaris EVO 144. Many others won prizes from local businesses, Klim, 509 and other sponsors of the Seeley Lake Driftriders Snowball Banquet and Fun Run this past weekend. Driftriders President Bill Swain said it was a fantastic weekend. He was e...

  • Board closes in on sending project to bid

    Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Sewer District Board had another light agenda Jan. 16 as the District works on final details leading up to the proposed project going to bid. In other business, temporary construction easements were discussed, the Board approved moving three properties to adjacent sub-districts and the Board voted on another section of the District’s by-laws. District Manager Jean Curtiss said the plans for the proposed sewer project are currently waiting for approval from Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). Uni...

  • Monster pike takes the bait

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – "What do you need a 10-in auger for?" asked the salesman when Randy Teague was shopping in Missoula. "I said, 'Well you never know if you are going to get the opportunity for a big one that you need to have that big hole to get them through.'" Despite continued critique and editorial comments from the salesman, Teague relied on his experience. He remembered when his father was ice fishing in Seeley Lake with a six-inch hole years before northern pike were introduced. He hooked i...

  • Tour began in 1915 Mowitza Lodge and ended in present

    Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – The red-roofed complex of buildings straddling both sides of the south end of Salmon Lake form a familiar landmark on entering the Seeley Valley. They've been there since 1915 and have accumulated a long history and generated a number of legendary stories. On Jan. 19, the Seeley Lake Historical Society sponsored a guided tour of the grounds, filling in some of the history and offering some stories for the approximately 20 attendees to ponder. Ron Cox from the Historical Society l...

  • Sterling adds humor

    Lash Ashmore, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jan 23, 2020

    I have always believed that a good laugh is excellent therapy for a multitude of ailments. Because of that belief I wish to thank you for the occasional humor column you have added to the Pathfinder. I am of course referencing the letters from Roxie Sterling. I do however hope you will replace them with something humorous and enlightening as well....

  • Thank you for sharing Christmas

    Dana Williams - Operation Christmas Child, Boone, N.C.|Jan 23, 2020

    I am writing to thank Seeley Lake residents for sharing the true meaning of Christmas with children in need this past holiday season. Because of the generosity of donors in Seeley Lake and across the United States, Operation Christmas Child, a project of Samaritan’s Purse, collected more than 8.9 million shoebox gifts in 2019. Combined with those collected from partnering countries in 2019, the ministry is now sending 10,569,405 shoebox gifts to children worldwide. Through shoeboxes—packed with fun toys, school supplies and hygiene ite...

  • In response to "Repent and turn from wicked ways" in last week's Pathfinder

    Joan Butler, Seeley Lake, Mont.|Jan 23, 2020

    We all have our opinions. The hate you speak of - is that the same that you feel for the Democrats and those Republicans who are standing up for our Constitution of the United States of America? Do you really want our country to be ruled by a “king” who got his way into our government with the help of another country whose ruler he owes a debt? YOU are destroying our Constitution by supporting him. He is now trying to get support from another foreign country to put him in again for another four years so he can take over our country and rule us...

  • The passing of time

    Ken Silverstro PhD|Jan 23, 2020

    Time has always been mysterious. Philosophers, scientists, psychologists and many other people over several centuries have attempted to understand it. Fortunately, the more it was explored, the more some of its mystery was uncovered. Typically, time is understood by a common standard set on our watches, phones and clocks, which everyone follows throughout the day for appointments and schedules. This is often referred to as clock time, but it is not actual time. Einstein discovered that time and...

  • "A Western Burlesque" comes to Seeley Lake this Friday

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – When Ginger Williams presented the idea to bring “the show back, have some fun in January and get people’s mind off of winter” to the Seeley Lake Area Chamber, Executive Director Lisa Hayhurst was quick to tell her the Chamber would sponsor the event. “That is when the idea started rolling,” said Williams who has been working on the show since November. The community is in for a night of fun and laughter at their year’s Winterfest 2020 “A Western Burlesque” 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 24 at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. Tickets are...

  • Climate Ready Missoula draft available for comment

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – Karen Hughes with Missoula County Community and Planning Services presented the Climate Ready Missoula draft plan at the Seeley Lake Community Council meeting Jan. 13. They are accepting comments on the proposed draft plan through Feb. 3. Hughes explained that Climate Ready Missoula is the result of an 18-month process of meetings, workshops, open houses and online surveys led by Missoula County, Climate Smart Missoula and Missoula City. It was developed with the help of local projections for climate available through the M...

  • Embracing suicide prevention and awareness in Missoula County

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE - While Montana has the highest suicide rate in the United States, Missoula County continues to make improvements through education, outreach and services provided to those in mental health crisis. Nancy de Pastino, Suicide Prevention Coordinator Missoula City-County Health Department, presented on suicide prevention and resources available in Missoula County at the Seeley Lake Community Council meeting Jan. 13. Montana has the highest rate of suicide in the nation – twice the national average in 2017. Despite the state s...

  • A new vision for Montana forests

    Bebe Crouse, The Nature Conservancy|Jan 23, 2020

    Imagine trying to hike, bike or ride a snowmobile in your local mountains only to encounter a fence and no trespassing sign every mile or so. That could have been the future for hundreds of thousands of acres in the Blackfoot and Swan Valleys...and beyond. That was also a big reason that The Nature Conservancy took a real leap of faith when it began buying land from Plum Creek Timber more than 20 years ago. Over time, we bought more than half a million acres of this former industrial timber...

  • Lolo National Forest and TNC finalize sale

    The Nature Conservancy|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE - The Nature Conservancy and U.S. Forest Service are excited to announce the finalization of a sale which will move 16,400 acres of former commercial timber lands into the public domain. The land, west of Seeley Lake, was characterized by the checkerboard pattern of public-private ownership that was created more than a century ago. This sale includes land from the 117,000 acres that TNC purchased from Plum Creek Timber Company in 2015. Over the last 30 years, TNC has purchased more t...

  • Art Supplies Giving Trees offer support to local schools

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    Alpine Artisans, Inc. presented Seeley Lake Elementary school and Swan Valley School with checks for art supplies this past week. The annual AAI Art Supplies Giving Tree raised $348 for SLE and $221 for Swan Valley School. Seeley Lake artist Kris Gullikson started the Giving Tree for art supplies last year. She has been a guest artist in several classrooms and while the students had supplies, they were very well used. "The teachers have been spending money out of their pocket for years," said...

  • Marion Louise Brechbill Nov. 18, 1927 - Jan. 17, 2020

    Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE - Marion Louise Brechbill passed from this life into the arms of her Savior on Friday Jan. 17 at the age of 92 surrounded by her loving family. Mom was a true Christian which was evident by her love and compassion for others. She will be truly missed but never forgotten. Mom was born Nov. 18, 1927 in Butte, Mont. She and her two brothers and sister were raised by their grandmother. Once Mom graduated high school she attended nursing school where she met two young ladies that had a...

  • The inward parts

    Pastor Erik Iverson, Faith Lutheran in Condon and Holy Cross Lutheran in Seeley Lake|Jan 23, 2020

    "But the Lord said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or upon the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 1 Samuel 16:7 Today, the most sought-after (and most expensive) violins in the world are those crafted by Guaneri del Gesu and Antonio Stradivari, going for prices reaching millions of dollars. What is it that makes them so valuable? The short answer is that...

  • Seeley Lake wood stove installation regulations proposed

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    The Missoula City-County Air Pollution Control Board will hold a public hearing on proposed changes to the Missoula City-County Air Pollution Control Program on Thursday, Feb. 20 at 12:15 p.m. in the second-floor conference room at the Health Department at 301 West Alder in Missoula. The Air Board will consider proposed changes to most chapters of the Program. Many proposed changes correct spelling errors, correct reference errors, make changes to align local program rules with state and federal rules, or are edits for clarification....

  • Bonfire kicked off weekend

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE - The Filling Station hosted their annual Christmas Tree bonfire Friday, Jan. 17. Complete with music and a fireworks display from the Seeley Lake Chamber of Commerce, locals and visitors alike enjoyed the tradition of the big fire, playing on the snow pile and socializing. The Seeley Lake Fire Department volunteer firefighters offered their support as well....

  • Volunteers record weather data online

    Colleen Kesterson, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SWAN VALLEY - Swan Valley residents interested in local weather data collecting met Jan. 8 to obtain more information on how to record and share local weather observations on the website Community Collaborative Rain, Hail and Snow Network or CoCoRaHs. Volunteers in locations around the United States, Canada and the Bahamas measure rain, hail and snow in their backyards, enter it on the website and within minutes it is included in maps and data analysis tools. Swan Valley resident and CoCoRaHs...

  • Competition and fun at annual Skiesta

    Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Nordic trails were groomed and ready for the annual Skiesta Jan. 18. With the sun shining and temperatures in the mid-20s, 61 skiers from ages 73 down to age 5 took to the groomed trails participating in the 1K, 3K, 5K, 10K and 20K races. Ben Scott of Libby, Mont. won the men's 20K in 56:10.07. Lindsey Bengtson of West Glacier, Mont. won the women's 20K with a time of 1:00:33.42. Ovando's Tim Swanberg and his daughter Madeline swept third place for the men and w...

  • Tigers and Pirates fall to Seeley-Swan

    Jan 23, 2020

    SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley-Swan Blackhawks and Lady Blackhawks defeated two conference teams last week starting with the Darby Tigers at home Jan. 17 and then the Victor Pirates on the road Jan. 18. The Boys took a commanding lead over the Tigers in the second quarter scoring 26 to the Tigers' 10 and they never looked back. Even the Tigers stellar free throw shooting, hitting 18 of 20, couldn't close the gap and the Blackhawks won, 65-43. Quinlan Ream led the Boys scoring 24 points including 15 i...

  • Community Briefs

    Jan 23, 2020

    Nearly 15 percent increase to building permits proposed MISSOULA - Based on a request for commission action, the Missoula County Commissioners will consider a resolution to adopt the 2018 Building Codes as well as a resolution to adopt increased fees for building, electrical, mechanical and plumbing permits of roughly 15 percent. If approved both would take effect Feb. 1. The decision will be made at the Commissioners’ public hearing Jan. 30 at 2 p.m. in the Sophie Moiese Room 151 of the Missoula County Courthouse Annex, 200 West Broadway, M...

  • Thank You Senator Daines for the Water Rights Protection Act

    Cory Swanson, Townsend, Mont.|Jan 23, 2020

    In water law, the most important thing is getting your water. Montana’s Senator Steve Daines has introduced the Montana Water Rights Protection Act (MWRPA) to provide federal settlement of the water rights claims of the Confederated Salish and Kootenai Tribes (CSKT). Without this legislation, Montana will face years of expensive litigation and uncertainty in trying to resolve these claims and will assuredly reach a worse conclusion. This is due to the undeniable fact that in water law, a settlement allows you to structure protection for j...