In celebration of 35 years of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder, each week we will run parts of articles that appeared in the issue 35 years ago and 20 years ago. The entire issue will be uploaded to our website seeleylake.com for you to enjoy. We hope you will enjoy the journey with us as we follow our community through the past 35 years as documented by the Pathfinder.
35 years ago: April 23, 1987 issue
Missing boy found after five-hour search
Four-year-old Arrow Hoehn, son of Dick and Jill Hoehn, might have had to spend a night in the woods had it not been for the generous efforts of nearly 50 volunteers who searched for him last Wednesday afternoon and evening.
Arrow's mother noticed the boy had wandered from their home and surrounding 10-acres at about 2 p.m. last Wednesday. He was found about 7 p.m., two miles from his home in the opposite direction of where most of the searchers were looking.
Jack Mackie and John Baumgardner found the boy. They had taken their motorbikes to search for Arrow in the woods near the Seeley Lake Airport.
Jill Hoehn had searched for the boy for about two hours, with the help of family and friends. Then, Missoula Search and Rescue was called to help.
"In no time at all, there were people all over," Jill said gratefully.
To read more of this article visit http://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/1987-04-23.pdf
35 years ago: April 23, 1987 issue - Part III
Volunteers completed the construction
Story Mildred Chaffin
Editor's note: Community members recently honored the founders of the Seeley Lake Community Hall with a pancake supper. This article is the third and final chapter of Mildred Chaffin's account of the original construction of the Hall.
With the walls finally up but no roof to keep out the weather, the unfinished Hall survived the winter of 1968-69. Sometimes long intervals passed without any visible progress but the project was not dead. We held auctions, bake sales, rummage sales, carnivals, bazaars and two dances at the Double Arrow Lodge. About the only way we didn't raise money was to stand in the rain with a tin cup!
We were bargain hunters. We made deals all the way from Columbia Falls to Great Falls, from Polson to Missoula, From Bonner to Seeley Lake. The volunteer effort was great - 99% of the local residents, plus a number of summer people, contributed. Even some of the women wielded hammers and wrenches.
We received one bad blow during those years. The back door of the little dwelling would not close tightly and 27 of our valuable sheets of plywood disappeared.
Otherwise, each new development was a milestone. The roof was finally finished for $868. Hubert Hansen, a Forest Service electrician, stayed with Allen (Chaffin) throughout the wiring job. The first floor of tongue and groove plywood was an inspiring sight. We wore it out and had to have a new one when the time came to lay the hardwood.
To read more of this article and the rest of the issue visit http://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/1987-04-23.pdf
20 years ago: April 25, 2002 issue
Performing arts coming in May
Story Alpine Artisans, Inc.
An Alpine Artisan, Inc. dream is about to come true with first-class live entertainment and more arts education coming to the Seeley Swan valleys in May.
The founders of Alpine Artisans, Inc. (AAI) have always hoped to expand their activities to include the presentation of performing arts right here in Seeley Lake and Condon - which eliminates the customary 120-mile round trip for professional entertainment!
The series, 2 Valleys Stage, will bring five professional performing events each year to this area beginning this May. Next year's sessions will start in September 2002 and continue through May of 2003.
"We are so rich in so many ways here in our valleys," said Rolly Meinholtz, an AAI Board Member and Artistic Director for the Series. "We have simply some of the most magnificent scenery in Montana, with outdoor opportunities that won't quit, especially the fabulous hunting and fishing. We have great friends and some rewarding activity groups. And we are pleased to go a step further - more food for the mind and spirit especially during the winter months."
Negotiation are already under way with professional groups throughout Montana and beyond, Meinholtz said.
To read more of this article and more from this issue visit https://www.seeleylake.com/home/customer_files/article_documents/2002-04-25.pdf
Reader Comments(0)