Sorted by date Results 26 - 50 of 57
The inaugural Best of the Valleys contest was a huge success, if we do say so ourselves. This year we had 18 categories selected by the Seeley Swan Pathfinder staff. Hundreds of people voted in the online poll or filled out an accidentally shortened paper version-257 to be exact-nearly a quarter of our readership. All categories were write-ins. The results are in and the first, second and third place winners were selected based on your votes. If you're disappointed in the results, missed your... Full story
Grizzly Claw/Jitterbug Java's Espresso Bar This category was overwhelmingly slanted to the winning cup of coffee-Grizzly Claw and their Jitterbug Java's Espresso Bar. The Grizzly Claw received nearly three times as many votes as the runner up. Baristas Cyd Kats and Zia Nelson receiving reader accolades. Nestled among the jewelry, furniture, art and books at the Grizzly Claw Trading Post, the full service Espresso Bar serves lattes, cappuccinos, smoothies and a full selection of pastries. Owners... Full story
Double Arrow Lodge - Seasons Everyone knows breakfast is the most important meal of the day, and voters agreed, as it was one of the most voted on categories. Only one vote separated the winner Double Arrow Lodge from a tree-way tie for second. The Double Arrow Lodge website touts that they serve the best breakfast in town and now they can claim that title by popular vote! Readers appreciated Sous Chef Jen Trevino's mastery of the breakfast menu. It is difficult to do justice to the Rise &... Full story
Ice Cream Place Food is clearly a priority among our voters. Lunch was another of the top voted on categories! The Ice Cream Place was a clear winner. It's hard to pick a day to drive past the shop without seeing a line stretching back to the highway. It's quick, it's budget friendly and you can't go wrong washing it down with a huckleberry shake! 2nd: Bay Burgers 3rd: Filling Station... Full story
Seeley Lake Chicken Coop There are many great restaurants in the valleys, and the voting showed it. In another close contest, the Seeley Chicken Coop and Lounge won the "Best" title by a single vote. The Coop opened in 1990 as D.F. Chicken, and was renamed when the current owners Mike Layman and Pat McGahey purchased it in 2004. Deep fried chicken is their claim to fame-and the original recipe specifies the type of chicken, oil and an original breading. The Coop is open seven days a week and...
Moose River Bar & Grill Along with many of the categories in the first "Best of" contest, the Best Place to Get a Beer was another close contest. The top three were only a vote apart. Moose River Bar & Grill took top honors. With a nice view from the balcony out back, the Moose River Bar opens at 10 a.m. to make sure that every game can be watched on one of the 11 televisions with a cold one in hand. 2nd: Seeley Lake Chicken Coop 3rd: Filling Station...
Double Arrow Lodge - Seasons When it's time to spend money on a night out, repeat winner Double Arrow is the clear choice for our readers. Seasons Restaurant has received Wine Spectator's Award of Excellence, for having one of the finest wine lists in the world. The restaurant offers "classic country cuisine" in warm, comfortable surroundings and tailors their menu to cater to each season. 2nd: Lindey's Prime Steak House 3rd: Hungry Bear Steak House, Condon...
Good Times Gifts & Video If there's one place our readers go to buy a present, it's Good Times Gifts & Video. The retail gift and clothing store is located in downtown Seeley Lake and carries Made in Montana products, purses, wallets, wedding gifts, toys and more. 2nd: Grizzly Claw Trading Co. 3rd: Blue River Station...
Clearwater Montana Properties Clearwater Montana Properties first opened in 1994 under the name Clearwater River Realty. The name changed in 2008 when Clearwater was selected as the exclusive Territory Broker for all of Montana. Since then, CMP has grown to more than 30 locations across Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming. The Seeley Lake and Whitefish offices conduct all administration and staff marketing support. If there is one place our readers go when looking or listing, it's CMP. 2nd:...
Juan de Santa Anna - Photographer In one of the categories with the most answers across the board, readers selected Juan de Santa Anna as the best artist. De Santa Anna is a renowned photographer who started shooting before photography was all done via digital cameras. He proudly recalls his mother keeping stories alive with her camera and considers it his role to be a keeper of the lore and follow in her footsteps. His work can be viewed in Missoula at The Artists Shop and online at...
The Lodges on Seeley Lake When vacationers come to our neck of the woods to get away from their normal life and experience the great outdoors of Western Montana, readers chose The Lodges on Seeley Lake as the best place to stay. The Lodges is located on the western shore of Seeley Lake and offers a commanding view of the Swan Mountain Range. The first lodge was built nearly a century ago, back when there was only a dirt road to access the area. The Lodges opened as a commercial resort shortly...
Optimal Fitness There was very little contest that when people think about getting fit, healthy and happy, they think of Optimal Fitness in Seeley Lake. Proprietor Terryl Bartlett opened Optimal Fitness in 2008 and has operated for nearly a decade with the goal of getting people to "Move a little more and eat a little less." Bartlett has more than 20 years of experience in personal training, fitness instruction and health coaching. Optimal Fitness offers a wide range of weight machines, fitness...
Lake Country Builders One voter responded to the poll saying, "You mean people actually show up to do this work?" Well you can be sure that Lake Country Builders Inc. will. The business first started in 1979 and has been a customer-driven building contractor ever since. Partners Mark Williams and Tim Tanberg ran the year-round operation offering services and oversight in all phases of building construction until Tanberg's retirement. Williams, now the sole owner, offers jobs ranging from...
Seeley Lake Fourth of July Community events are the heart and soul of any small town. They also draw in visitors from far and wide. The best one, according to our readers, is the Fourth of July celebration in Seeley Lake. No matter what day of the week July 4 falls, the Seeley Lake Area Chamber of Commerce will put on a party with a parade that closes down Highway 83 and the fireworks show over the lake, best viewed out on a boat or sitting lakeside with friends and family. Everyone is well fed...
Loving Hearts Thrift Store There are more than a hundred non-profits in the Blackfoot, Swan and Clearwater Valleys which made it hard for voters to choose their favorite. Loving Hearts Thrift Store managed to pull out the top honor by one vote. Loving Hearts has been in their location on School Lane in Seeley Lake for more than two decades. They have kept their mission intact the whole time: Meet the needs of the community physically as well as spiritually. The Thrift store accepts donations...
Seeley Lake There is little you can't do on Seeley Lake, which is why it was voted the Best Recreation Opportunity in the area. Boating, fishing, paddle boarding, lounging on the beach-the lake offers fun for the whole family. The lake has two public boat launches and numerous campgrounds and lodging opportunities for visitors. 2nd: Morrell Falls 3rd: Placid Lake...
Big Larch Campground Nestled on the eastern shore of Seeley Lake, Big Larch Campground is the perfect place to cool off on a hot day. The campground has a beach and a boat launch as well as four picnic areas and several dozen campsites. Located just a mile north of Seeley Lake, readers say it's the best place to pitch a tent and enjoy all that Montana has to offer. 2nd: Placid Lake State Park 3rd: Seeley Lake Campground...
Blue River Station When residents and visitors alike drive down Highway 83 through Seeley Lake, they are sure to have their eyes drawn to the Blue River Station. Owners Nancy and Mark Butcher have taken the historic Stage Station and given the building fresh new look. The landscaped lawn next door adds to the draw. Inside, customers will find a unique selection of gifts, kitchenware, specialty foods and a full service espresso bar with pastries and hard ice cream in the summer and homemade...
Rovero's It's nearly impossible to leave Rovero's without a smile on your face. The phenomenal staff at Hot Stuff and front counters are always happy to greet you and offer assistance. The staff size fluctuates with the tourists but every one of them offers service with a smile. Owner Greg Tabish said, "We are extremely happy and proud of our employees, with the customer service that they provide. They are the heart and soul of our business." Manager Pat Mitchell added, "This award reiterates...
Rice Ridge Fire Morning Update: Today will be the last day the Fire Information board at Rovero's is staffed. The Fire Information Board at Valley Market will continue to be staffed by Rice Ridge Fire information officers along with Missoula County Sheriff's department representatives. A community meeting will be held tomorrow, Aug. 31st at 6pm, location to be determined. The Rice Ridge Fire grew more than 2,000 acres yesterday. It is currently 32,222 acres and 18% contained. There are 658 fire...
Rice Ridge Fire Morning Update: The Fire Information Board at Valley Market will continue to be staffed by Rice Ridge Fire information officers along with Missoula County Sheriff's department representatives. A community meeting will be held tonight at 6 p.m. at the Seeley Lake Community Hall and tomorrow, Sept. 1 at the Ovando Elementary School at 6 p.m. Important: Drones are prohibited in the fire vicinity &have the potential to shut down all air operations. A Temporary Flight Restriction...
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Community Hall was filled to capacity Thursday night, Aug. 31 for the 10th Rice Ridge Fire community meeting. Incident Commander John Thompson said the firefighters are holding their own despite the winds and passing cold front. This was a change from his assessment Tuesday night at the Ovando Community Meeting where he told those in attendance they were getting their butts' kicked. There have been eight large fires since mid-July on every district of the Lolo N...
Rice Ridge Morning Update: A community meeting will be held tonight, Sept. 1, at 6 p.m. at the Ovando Elementary School. This event will not be live streamed. The Pathfinder will be covering the meeting. The Rice Ridge Fire grew nearly 4,000 acres yesterday. It is now 37,032 acres and 18% contained. There are 729 fire personnel on the fire. YESTERDAY: Crews held fire growth at critical locations across the perimeter despite yesterday's red flag warning. On the west flank of the fire, ground and...
SEELEY LAKE – Have you been evacuated during the Rice Ridge Fire? Owner of Summit Insurance Agent Tom Monaghan said most homeowner policies have coverage that will pay additional living expenses in the event of a mandatory evacuation. The coverage that lends financial assistance to clients in causes of the Rice Ridge Fire is called Additional Living Expense (ALE). Some companies may brand it with different names but in the industry it’s referred to as Coverage D. If anyone affected calls their agent and asks about Coverage D, the agent wil...
OVANDO – On Day 40 of the Rice Ridge Fire nearly 100 people filled the Ovando School Gym for a community meeting. Incident Commander John Thompson provided fire updates and answered questions from the community. Meeting Highlights: • The Lolo National Forest picked up 17 new fires in the last 48 hours, and five went large. One of the helicopters will be leaving in three days because they have timed out and another will be down for maintenance tomorrow. This is adding strain to already str...
