Sorted by date Results 1 - 25 of 44
This is the third year of the Best of the Valleys competition sponsored by the Seeley Swan Pathfinder. Many businesses and organizations kept their title of "Best of" with a few new faces topping the lists this year including Pop's Place and The Filling Station. First place winners will receive a plaque to display in their businesses. Thank you everyone who took the time to vote and for supporting local businesses! Best Cup of Coffee Jitterbug Java at the Grizzly Claw Trading Company Second Plac...
The Best of the Valleys Readers' Choice Awards are back again for 2019. The Pathfinder is looking for what people like best about the Blackfoot, Clearwater and Swan Valleys we proudly inhabit. Whether you live here year-round, during the summer or consider this area your backyard on weekends, we want to hear about the best places you frequent. Follow this link to take the survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/MXKPW8R All the businesses and locations in the Pathfinder's readership, including...
The second year of the Best of the Valleys competition proved how highly the members of the community think of the businesses in the area. The competition was tight, with some businesses winning by only one or two votes. While many businesses upheld their 2017 title, four categories traded the top spot. This year there were 20 categories. Thanks to readers suggestions from last year the categories of Best Convenience Store and Best Car Care were added. The category for Best Health and Fitness...
Jitterbug Java Espresso at the Grizzly Claw The Grizzly Claw Trading Company plays host to many artisans of the valley with arts and crafts like jewelry, clothing and pottery. It is also the two-year winner for Best Cup of Coffee. The Jitterbug Java espresso bar is nestled inside the store and features a full coffee shop menu, fruit smoothies, baked goods and other snacks. Again Zia Nelson was mentioned as one of the best baristas in the valleys! Second place: Blue River Station Third place:...
Seasons at the Double Arrow Lodge For the second year in a row, Seasons has claimed the title for Best Breakfast. The restaurant has a wide selection of dishes ranging from waffles, pancakes and french toast to more exotic dishes like huevos rancheros and their special Hungarian breakfast goulash. Second place: Pop's Place Third place: Seeley Lake Chicken Coop...
The Ice Cream Place Seeley Lakers know the best way to eat lunch is always outside, at an affordable price and followed by ice cream, making The ICP the winner for Best Lunch for the second year in a row. The menu has extensive hot and savory items as well as sweet and cold. So grab a burger, a burrito or even an eggroll for lunch but whatever you choose, make sure you don't forget dessert. Second place: Seasons at the Double Arrow Lodge Third place: Bayburgers...
Moose River Bar and Grill Moose River won both best dinner for less than $20 and best place to grab a beer. You know you're getting the All-American burgers-and-beer treatment whenever you visit. Their menu doesn't just have burgers though, make sure you don't miss out on their yummy apps, fresh salads and hot sandwiches. Whatever you choose, wash it down with a cold, Montana craft beer, because Moose River also won the award for best place to grab a cold one for the second year in a row....
Loving Hearts For two years in a row, Loving Hearts has beat out more than 100 other charities in the valley to be voted best non-profit organization. The thrift store, which is run entirely by volunteers and has just recently completed a remodel, has been around for more than 20 years. In those 20 years, the charity has donated more than $100,000 back to the community. Whether you're dropping off donations, hunting for bargains and treasures or just looking to help out in the community, Loving...
Rod Stevens This year's winner for best contractor is Rod Stevens. He and his son have been running their construction company in Seeley Lake since 2004. They can do everything from concrete work, framing, roofing and painting to finish work like trimming, cabinets and flooring. The company also does complete remodels and home additions. The Stevens have been kept busy ever since starting their company and their busy days have paid off, winning them the title of best contractor this year....
Seasons at Double Arrow Lodge Anyone who thinks that Montanans can't get fancy every once in awhile has never been to Seasons for dinner. The restaurant at the Double Arrow has won best breakfast AND best dinner over $20 for two consecutive years. The dinner menu features classics like prime cut steak as well as fresh rotating features that change with each season. Second place: Lindey's Prime Steak House Third place: Hungry Bear Steak House...
Blue River Station For the second year in a row, the award for best storefront goes to the cutest little shop in Seeley, Blue River Station. The shop has antiques, kitchenware, Montana-made products and most importantly, coffee and ice cream to go with its beautiful storefront. No matter the season, you know you can find something cute outside or inside this Seeley Lake staple. Second place: Rovero's Third place: Citizens Alliance Bank...
Good Times Good Times is another one of Seeley Lake's one stop shops. Not only can you buy quirky gifts, and fun games and toys there, you can also pick up a movie, to rent or to buy! This shop won the award for being the best place to buy a gift in Seeley, but their wide array of fun items just proves that the gift of a good time is the best gift of all. Whether you're looking for a birthday present, a souvenir or just picking up a flick for date night, Good Times is the place to find the best...
Rejuvenate Physical Therapy & Massage Sometimes it's hard to know what to do if you're feeling yucky, but the residents of Seeley Lake are masters in the art of self-care and wellness, which means they know Rejuvenate Physical Therapy and Massage is the number one choice for health and wellness. The physical therapy center offers treatment by way of therapeutic exercises, cardiovascular endurance training, and training in activities of daily living. Beth Layman will get you out the door feeling...
Photographer Juan de Santa Anna In such a beautiful town as Seeley Lake, there must exist an artist who captures the beauty of its scenery and people and this year, readers chose photographer Juan de Santa Anna as that artist. Juan has been taking photos since 1999 and has lived in Seeley Lake since 2004. Not only does he enjoy capturing the natural beauty of the area but he also does portraits and event photography, to capture Seeley residents' most beautiful moments. Second place: Painter...
Glen's Automotive Service Glen's Automotive Service has been open since 1985, helping residents of Seeley Lake with all their automotive needs. The shop is AAA auto repair approved with a 98.8 percent approval rating and it offers a NAPA Auto Care nationwide warranty. Glen's has everything from tires and tire service to advanced diagnoses on newer cars using the latest technology, which is why it was voted best auto care this year. Second place: Clearwater Towing Third place: Scott's Auto...
The Lodges on Seeley Lake The Lodges on Seeley Lake are always the perfect fit. The resort won Best Lodging for the second year in a row because they have cozy cottages for intimate to large families as well as a brand new lodge for groups. "Treat yourself" has become a phrase common enough to make it lose its meaning, but when you're thinking of treating yourself to the most luxurious lodging in town with venues for weddings, reunions and conferences, think of The Lodges. Second place:...
Rovero's Hungry for a snack? Rovero's has every kind you can imagine. Need some gas? Rovero's is your place. Forget something important or need a new tool? Rovero's Ace Hardware probably has it. As Seeley's most famous one-stop-shop, Rovero's took this year's award for best convenience store, because there's nothing more convenient than having everything you need all in one place. Second place: Seeley Lake 1-Stop Third place: Cory's Valley Market & Mission Mountains Mercantil...
Wilderness, Lakes & Snowmobiling The Blackfoot, Clearwater and Swan Valleys offer recreation opportunities for everyone. From skiing, snowmobiling and ice skating in the winter to hiking, water sports and horseback riding in the summer, this year readers' choices were all over the map. The top places to recreate according to readers included the Bob Marshall and Mission Mountain Wildernesses and the lakes, specifically Holland Lake, Seeley Lake and Lake Inez. With so many excellent choices,...
Clearwater Montana Properties Clearwater Montana Properties maintains the top spot voted Best Real Estate Agency in the Valleys for the second year in a row. After a humble start, opening its first office in Seeley Lake in 1994, CMP now boasts a network of more than 30 agent and office locations across Montana, Idaho, Washington and Wyoming. CMP focuses on providing quality customer service, superior market knowledge and giving back a portion of all real estate proceeds to the communities they...
Fourth of July More than 50 percent of our readers said the Fourth of July Celebrations in the valleys were the events they didn't want to miss. This year, voters did not specify which town hosts the best party. Seeley Lake, Condon and Ovando all host celebrations and they are all recognized this year. The Celebration in Seeley Lake starts at 7 a.m. with the annual pancake breakfast at the Seeley Lake Fire Department. There is a free barbecue at Mission Bible Fellowship prior to the Seeley Lake...
Big Larch Campground Nestled on the eastern shore of Seeley Lake, Big Larch Campground is the best place to pitch a tent or hook up an RV and enjoy all that the area has to offer. The campground has a beach and a boat launch as well as four picnic areas and more than 40 campsites. Located just a mile north of Seeley Lake, readers say it's the best campground in the valleys. Second place: Placid Lake State Park Third place: Lake Alva...
Cory's Valley Market Whether you're doing a full-on grocery run or just going in to grab a few things for dinner, everyone at Cory's is always happy to see you, which is why Seeley's grocery store won the award for best customer service out of every store in the valley. "It's a friends and family atmosphere," owner Cory Thompson said. Manager Renita Ruth said that the local grocery store is one of the last to help customers carry their groceries to their car. "My big thing when we have new...
The Best of the Valleys Readers' Choice Awards are back again for 2018. The Pathfinder is looking for what people like best about the Blackfoot, Clearwater and Swan Valleys we proudly inhabit. Whether you live here year-round, during the summer or consider this area your backyard on weekends, we want to hear about the places you frequent. Follow this link to get started: http://www.surveymonkey.com/r/KNHMTLW All the businesses and locations in the Pathfinder's readership, including Ovando, Potom...
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...
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...
