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SEELEY LAKE - Every fall Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) fish biologists complete bull trout redd counts, tracking the abundance of the trout spawning nests. A redd is an area on the stream bottom that trout prepare as their spawning nest. The redd counts is an index for spawning activity and adult abundance. FWP Fisheries Biologist Ladd Knotek said that monitoring bull trout as the keystone species is a good indicator because they are the most sensitive species to disturbance and they...
HELENA – Montanans earning minimum wage will see the rate increase to $8.15 per hour beginning Jan. 1, 2017. An estimated 3,323 workers, or approximately 1.2 percent of the workforce, receive minimum wage. “By tying our minimum wage to the Consumer Price Index (CPI-U), we are making sure that Montana families are keeping pace with inflation,” said Labor & Industry Commissioner, Pam Bucy. “Through an increased minimum wage, our workforce will be able to have more purchase power in their local communities.” In 2015, the industry with the large...
SEELEY LAKE – When driving the major roads in Montana, travelers can't help but notice the white crosses dotting the side of the roads. The American Legion has used the white crosses to mark the sites of fatal traffic accidents for the past 50 years. Jim Kelly, a member of the American Legion Post 13 out of St. Regis, keeps this tradition alive in District 5, including the Blackfoot, Clearwater and Swan Valleys. He covers more than 2,500 miles and maintaining more than 1,000 crosses, adding m...
While reading the “Editor’s Note, Remembering Mr. Nelson by Nathan Bourne” in the Sept. 29, 2016 edition of the Pathfinder it took me back to the start of my freshman year in high school. My elementary school was a good eight miles from our high school, so relationship with the high school was more so attending sporting events. Starting high school, I signed up for football and basketball, which meant I had to hitch a ride home after practice. My enrollment into the basketball team was to say the least, nothing but hell. It seems, not menti...
SEELEY LAKE - On Monday Sept. 19, I was scheduled to attend a candidate forum in Seeley Lake as a candidate for Secretary of State. Unfortunately, I was unable to attend due to unexpected issues which arose at the State Auditor’s office during the day. My apologies to the Seeley Lake community for the absence. I did communicate via email to the organizers earlier in the afternoon that day to alert them of the change in my schedule. Continuing to oversee our insurance and securities industries, while protecting consumers, is my first priority i...
SEELEY LAKE - Who are more rude and crude in our area of Seeley Lake Liberal thinkers or those dastardly Conservatives? The general consensus appeared to be that conservatives had little patience or empathetic feelings for those that thought, looked and acted a little different. I am one of those people that tends to verify things that are generally accepted as being true. I decided to do my own very bias study. I donned my Clinton/ Kane tee shirt (available online for $30) and proceeded to wear it around our charming area for the day. I...
Dave Strohmaier, Democratic Candidate for County Commissioner, is highly qualified for the position. He has experience administering programs and managing staff in the private sector. He is a sportsman and conservationist who values good stewardship for Missoula County and has been endorsed by the Montana Conservation Voters. He respects private property and understands the value of public lands. Dave’s leadership as a Missoula County Commissioner will be based upon cooperation rather than confrontation. He has demonstrated his skills at w...
I endorse Addrien Marx for House District 92 because of her long experience as a successful businesswoman in Seeley Lake, because she values wild country and because she has stepped up to the plate to serve our communities in many ways. Addrien knows that if we are to have vibrant communities in rural Montana with good jobs and schools, we need to protect the recreation opportunities that open lands provide and that fuel our economy. Our livelihoods and our sense of well-being depend on our ability to maintain our clear lakes and streams, acces...
We are long-time residents of the Seeley/Swan Valley who attended the Sept. 20 Swan Valley Community Council-sponsored presentation by Montana Senator Jennifer Fielder and Representative Kerry White of the American Lands Council (ALC). The ALC presentation was filled with misinformation, inaccurate graphics and emotionally charged rhetoric designed to create fear. In their proposal to transfer federal lands to state control, the ALC speakers oversimplified and misrepresented complex forest management issues, while ignoring us hikers, hunters,...
Women think we have a logical reason for everything we say and do, whether subtle or blatant. We don't understand ourselves any more than the next person but we always promise an entertaining and enlightening adventure... For instance, why do we wax or tweeze our eyebrows just to draw them back on? Woman logic. Somewhere in our warped little mind, society has trained us that perfect eyebrows must look better shaped and sculpted and painted on. Who really knows why we think this looks better?...
4-H was created to empower young people and to give them the tools to grow in their individual strengths. But many people still ask, "Why join 4-H? What's so great about it?" The benefits 4-H can have for young people are vast and different for each individual member. As the 4-H pledge says, all it takes is your heart, head, hands and health. As soon as I reached second grade, which is the grade level a student must be to join, I became a Cloverbud. I entered baked goods and school art...
The chosen theme for this year's National Newspaper Week, Oct 2-8, is "Power of the Press." That power, it seems to me, is a very relative thing. Everybody understands the power of, say, The New York Times or The Washington Post, but probably less recognized and appreciated is the power of the Deer Creek Pilot and the thousands of other small, community newspapers just like it all across the land. In survey after survey, it is these little community-minded newspapers that are continuing to thriv...
SEELEY LAKE - Next Monday’s meeting of the Seeley Lake Community Council promises a broad agenda. Missoula County Sheriff T.J. McDermott will speak on recent law enforcement activities in Seeley Lake. Duane “Cecil” Schlabach will follow with a report on the successful conclusion of the Council’s two-year Traffic Project and the new speed limits. Mike Boltz will outline his plans to convert the Wilderness Inn into affordable apartments. Since he is seeking U.S. government loans to finance the project, Boltz is asking for an endorsement from the...
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. On July 29, 1998 an Act of Congress authorized the Breast Cancer Research semipostal stamp. Semipostals are stamps on which the price exceeds the regular first-class letter rate. The difference is devoted to a specific cause. Currently a First Class stamp sells for 47 cents; a Breast Cancer research stamp sells for 60 cents. Breast Cancer Research stamps are Forever stamps so additional postage after a rate change is not necessary. The difference is donated to breast cancer research. It may not seem...
Merlot or Syrah? French roast or Colombian? A grizzly bear might not know the difference, but that doesn't mean wine and coffee can't make a big difference for the iconic species. Look no further than two western Montana businesses, Missoula's Ten Spoon Vineyard & Winery and Whitefish's Montana Coffee Traders. Each contributes daily to the long-term survival of the grizzly bear through business partnerships with The Vital Ground Foundation, a Missoula-based land trust dedicated to conserving...
Alpine Artisans' Tour of the Arts once again offers a feast for the eyes – featuring the artwork of more than 25 artists in four studios, three historical museums and two galleries from Condon through Seeley Lake to Ovando. Driving this free, self-guided tour Oct. 8 and 9, takes you through miles of Tamaracks in full color to enjoy the latest work created by our local artists. There will also be the screening of the documentary "Unbranded" Saturday evening, Oct. 8 at 7 p.m. at the Seeley Lake C...
SEELEY LAKE - Blizzard Drums is the translation of Fubuki Daiko. Alpine Artisans' 2 Valleys Stage (2VS) is bringing the drumming group to Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) Tuesday, Oct. 18. This exciting group of musician athletes will amaze both children and adults with their blend of martial arts, meditation and rhythm. The core members of the group each have more than 25 years of taiko drumming experience and training from Tokyo-born Seiichi Tanaka. Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka of the San...
SEELEY LAKE - When he's not in the classroom, Brett Haines can be found coaching Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) flag football, boys' and girls' basketball and track. While Haines has coached at SLE for the past six years, this is his first year teaching physical education. He looks forward to being a positive mentor and encouraging students to work hard and participate. Haines started kindergarten at Holy Cross Lutheran, before SLE offered kindergarten. He spent first through eighth grade at SLE...
The election season is upon us as we head down the final month until the election. Although the presidential election always seems to be divisive, this time it is perhaps worse than ever. I cannot say I follow politics that closely but it seems that this election for many voters is as much about not wanting the other candidate as it is about actually wanting the candidate they will ultimately vote for. In their October issue, Christianity Today published a series of articles where arguments were made for Clinton, Trump, and neither, so it...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Council hosted two candidate forums, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26, at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. Candidates for state and local races answered questions from moderator and Council Chair Klaus von Sutterheim and the audience. All candidates that will appear on the ballot including Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians, were invited. This week the Pathfinder features the candidates for Supreme Court Justice and State Auditor. Visit www.seeleylake.com for...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Council hosted two candidate forums, Sept. 19 and Sept. 26, at the Seeley Lake Community Hall. Candidates for state and local races answered questions from moderator and Council Chair Klaus von Sutterheim and the audience. All candidates that will appear on the ballot including Republicans, Democrats and Libertarians, were invited. This week the Pathfinder features the candidates for Supreme Court Justice and State Auditor. Visit www.seeleylake.com for...
OVANDO - More than 130 students from Bonner, Seeley, Helmville and in between participated in the annual Blackfoot Challenge (BC) Farm Tour Sept. 26. The event was held at the Stone Ranch in Ovando from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m. Event director and Education Coordinator for the BC Elaine Caton said, "We put on a Youth Field/Farm Day every year to give middle school students the opportunity to learn about their watershed." Each year there is a different theme. This year the theme was ranching. Station t...
The Seeley-Swan High School (SSHS) Cross Country Varsity Team competed in two meets this week, the first in Thompson Falls, Mont. Sept. 29 and the second in Hamilton, Oct. 1. The Seeley Lake Middle School runners joined the team at the Hamilton meet on Saturday. Thompson Falls Invite The SSHS Cross Country Team competed on a very warm day at Thompson Falls Golf Course Thursday, Sept. 29. Varsity and junior varsity boys (162 runners) and 111 girls from A, B and C schools competed. Nearly all the...
The Seeley-Swan Lady Blackhawks played matches on the road last week against two teams that had beaten them earlier in the season. First Drummond and then Charlo fell to the Ladies as they improved their record to 5-1 in conference and 6-3 overall. Versus Drummond The Lady Blackhawks took on the Drummond Trojans Sept. 29. The Trojans beat the Lady Blackhawks earlier in the season in four games but the Ladies had different plans for their second matchup. Game one went to the Trojans 20-25 but the Lady Blackhawks came back and took the match...
SEELEY LAKE - Though writing teachers disapprove of using two words when one conveys the meaning satisfactorily, the English language is full of doublet phrases: safe and sound; each and every; null and void; bits and pieces; rack and ruin; part and parcel. Each word of the phrase means the same thing. According to the Oxford English Dictionary (OED), “part,” meaning a piece of a whole, came into use in the 11th century. “Parcel,” meaning a piece of a whole, came into usage in the 14th century. The two were then yoked together, most often i...
