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Gifford Pinchot, who later became chief of the U.S. Forest Service, was working for the National Forest Commission in 1896 when he traveled south through the Swan Valley with Jack Monroe, a trapper and guide. In the first installment of the 7-part series, they had arrived at a cabin inhabited by a trapper named Wood, who sent them on their way with venison and a sketch map to a deserted cabin where they could find flour. That night we spent with another trapper, who took us, in the morning, across the river on a jam of trees, roots and all the...
SEELEY LAKE – Seeley Lake residents Jim and Connie Betson purchased Gary's Lures from owner Gary Ikerd this past spring. They changed the name to Tackle the Waters LLC. They look forward to offering the famous spinner baits Gary's Lures was known for as well as expanding their inventory to include a larger variety of lures, colors and sizes. The Betsons have been fishing since they were children. They used Ikerd's spinner baits on numerous occasions and like the product. Ikerd owned and o...
SWAN VALLEY - Neil Meyer, longtime Salmon Prairie resident, said that making a living as a logger in the early days was hard work in the Swan Valley. He shared stories about how logging was flourishing and was unhindered by regulations and big business as it is now. He said the pace was slower, many residents had their own small sawmills and the tools of the trade were less expensive and complicated. Meyer grew up in Ferndale, Mont. He worked with his father farming and cutting firewood with...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary board adopted the 2016-2017 calendar at its April 19 meeting. Students will attend school five days a week starting Sept. 6. Summer break begins June 2. Christmas break will only be one week this year. A four-day week was not discussed. In other business, Superintendent Chris Stout said that he would have recommendations for a new second grade teacher at the board’s May meeting. The current second grade teacher Julie Little is out on maternity leave and will not return next year. All other teachers a...
Seeley Lake Library News SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Library Book Club will be discussing Elizabeth McCracken’s “Thunderstruck and Other Stories” Thursday, May 19 at 11 a.m. This book is a collection of nine stories that navigate the fragile space between love and loneliness. Widely acclaimed, this collection has been described as brilliant, funny and heartbreaking. All are invited to join in the discussion. Books are available at the checkout desk. The Seeley Lake Library has life jackets in various sizes available for checkout. Stop by th...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Sewer District (SLSD) board had a special meeting April 15 to discuss details of a funding offer they received in March. The board is currently negotiating some aspects of the offer in attempt to lower the projected monthly rates. Representatives from the United States Department of Agriculture Rural Development (RD) were on hand to further explain the offer. The funding package consists of $5.7 million in grants and $4.4 million in loans for the construction of the proposed wastewater treatment plant and Phase I...
SWAN VALLEY - Members of the Swan Valley Regional Plan Committee (SVRPC) began revisions on the Swan Valley Regional Plan (SVRP) draft at their April 13 meeting. The SVRPC discussed and approved edits and comments submitted by Missoula lawyer Colleen Dowdall, local journalist Suzanne Vernon, Missoula Community and Planning Services (CAPS) planner Mitch Doherty, residents and those in attendance. The committee also heard an alternate plan submitted by Swan Valley resident Harry Blazer. The SVRPC voted to accept Dowdall’s edits to the f...
SEELEY LAKE – Each month of the school year, television station KECI singles out a western Montana teacher who has made significant contributions toward education. Nominees are chosen based primarily on letters submitted by students. April's Gold Star teacher is Seeley Lake Junior High teacher, Duane Schlabach. KECI presents the winner with the Gold Star Award plaque and comes to the school to interview and film both teacher and students. The resulting production is aired on the station t...
HELENA – The Montana Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ) is accepting public comment on Montana’s 2016 Draft Water Quality Integrated Report. The report documents the state’s water quality conditions for the years 2013–2014 as required by the federal Clean Water Act. Comments will be accepted during a 60-day public comment period from March 14 through May 13, 2016. The Integrated Report summarizes the current water quality status and trends for water bodies under the jurisdiction of the State of Montana, including lakes, reservo...
POTOMAC - More than 45 people attended the Potomac Gardening Party the evening of April 15 at the Potomac/Greenough Community Center (PGCC). The event was part of the community center board "Family Night" functions held throughout the year. The garden party was about getting to know neighbors, learning gardening techniques for the Potomac area and creating a neighbor network, said event organizer and gardener Aimee Miklovic. "This could be a great resource for a significant portion of the...
SEELEY LAKE – Kathy Hudak has lived in Seeley Lake for the past six years. She works as an Emergency Room (ER) technician at Community Medical, a paramedic with Missoula Emergency Services, Inc. (MESI) ambulance and as a flight medic with REACH Air Medical Services out of Helena, Mont. In the beginning of March, her role as caregiver turned to patient when she was diagnosed with Hodgkin's Lymphoma. Hudak started a career working in wildland fire with the US Forest Service for ten years. The USFS...
In August 1944, Michael Milochik sailed home from England on the luxury liner Queen Elizabeth. He described the living conditions as "tight" with 12 bunks to a room. Once back home, he and his girlfriend were married. They spent their honeymoon in a house on loan from one of his shipmates. Mike described how people laughed at him when he bought several comic books to take on his honeymoon. After his honeymoon, Mike got on a Liberty Ship, the USS Baham and sailed through the Panama Canal,...
In 1896, Gifford Pinchot, who later became the first Chief of the U.S. Forest Service, traveled south through the Swan Valley inspecting this region of Montana, while working for the National Forest Commission. Jack Monroe, a trapper and guide, accompanied him. The account of his trip through the Swan Valley was recorded in 1897. The Pathfinder will publish Pinchot’s account in a 7-part series. This is the first installment. In the course of work on the National Forest Commission, I camped last summer, on the shore of Swan Lake, through w...
MISSOULA – The University of Montana (UM) College of Forestry and Conservation invites UM students and community members from Missoula and the Seeley-Swan Valley to a day of ecological restoration Sunday, April 24. MPG North, a Montana conservation organization, sponsors the project and will provide shuttle service to its property east of Condon. Volunteers will meet in the UM Forestry Building parking lot at 9 a.m. but also are welcome to drive themselves to the location. Volunteers are encouraged to bring warm clothing and sturdy footwear. A...
Elda L. (Ellie) Greenough - Swan Council My father moved our family from a large metropolitan area to a small Midwest farm when I was nine months old. A family vacation in the mountains of Montana spurred my move to this valley in April of 1978. My first job was cleaning and oiling logs on a newly constructed summer getaway cabin. The next four years were spent working on the carpentry shop of a log home building company. When the company sold, I worked as a cook and waitress for local...
Henry S. Westra - Swan Council I, along with my wife Carolyn, were first introduced to the Swan Valley in the 1980's. It became our desire to someday relocate to the Swan so, to that end, we purchased a parcel of land in the early 1990's. There were many trips back and forth to Michigan until 2013 when we were able to fulfill our desire to be full time residents of Montana's Swan Valley. I take advantage of the outdoor activities the Swan has to offer, continue to work on and upkeep my...
Lacey McNutt - Swan Council I have lived in the Swan Valley for nearly 10 years. I grew up in Helena and am a fifth generation Montanan. I first came here to work for an outfitter in the Bob Marshall Wilderness. It was there that I met my husband, Todd. We have one son and we all live, work and play here. I am a licensed real estate professional here in the valley, a volunteer with the Swan Valley Emergency Services and have served the past two years as vice president of the Swan Valley PTA. I am running for a seat on the Council because...
Dale Hinkle - Incumbent Potomac Fire Board I am currently the chairman of the Board of Trustees for the Greenough/Potomac Volunteer Fire Department (GPVFD) and my three-year term is up. I have lived in Potomac approximately 10 years. I am a semi-retired geotechnical/civil engineer. I owned and ran an engineering business for 35 years. I still practice part time and I am currently licensed in Montana, New Mexico and California. I have a Master's degree from California State University Long Beach...
Jennifer Iverson - Potomac Fire Board Biography: I am a fifth generation Montanan and returned to Potomac four years ago. I have been married to Justin Iverson for 16 years, which has provided me with family ties to the Potomac Valley since college. I enjoy cooking, baking, gardening, quilting and reading. Qualifying experience or skills/strengths for the Fire Board position: As a certified Project Management Professional, I have extensive experience in facilitating meetings, overseeing project...
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) School Board will run a general fund operating levy of $17,056 or 2.21 mills on the May 3 ballot. It would increase taxes on a $100,000 home by $2.98 and on a $200,000 home by $5.96 annually. Unless voting absentee, voters must vote at SLE between 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. on May 3. This is the second levy run by SLE in the past seven years that has passed. One failed in 2009 by 35 votes and another was passed in 2014. The reason for the levy is declining enrollment. “That is not an increase in the bud...
Jenny Lindemer - Incumbent SLE Board Biography: I was born and raised in Missoula. I spent my summers in Seeley Lake. My family and I have lived here for 21years! Qualifying experience or skills/strengths for the school board position: My husband and I own and operate Lindey's Prime Steakhouse. I have been on SLE School Board and volunteered in various positions at Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) for 12 years. Why do you want to be on the school board? I would love to continue being involved with...
Karen Kovatch - Incumbent SLE Board Biography: We moved our family business to Seeley Lake in 1989 and I have lived here full time since 1995. I have served on the Seeley Lake Elementary (SLE) Board for three years. My family here includes my parents, husband Kalvin and two children: Klaire, a seventh grade student and Klayton, a fifth grade student. My hobbies include horseback riding, cycling and skiing. Qualifying experience or skills/strengths for the school board position: Work: Currently...
Amanda Fowler - SLE Board Biography & Qualifying Experience: My name is Amanda Fowler. I grew up in Montana and have lived all around. We moved to Seeley Lake a year and a half ago. I have since then become a part of the community. I enjoy the bigger community feel with the small town people. I love to volunteer my time. I currently volunteer at Loving Hearts, I'm a youth leader with our church youth group and I am the treasurer for Sparrows Vine. I have a wonderful husband and two amazing...
