The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
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This is not something I normally write about, but it is something I believe in. I have recently been reading a book written by Christian writer Joel Olsteen "You Can, You Will". It got me thinking about my brother. I won't say his name, but he is actually now my last remaining brother out of nine kids in my family. We are down to four; two boys, two girls. My dad died when I was fourteen, so my older brothers are who I looked up to for guidance. And this one brother, well, I...
Well, here is a little follow up story on Jim and Trooper’s crusade of good cheer that started here in Lincoln on Dec. 6. It was my very first show and it was great being able to see everyone and kick off the holiday season. The following Sunday I headed up to Phillipsburg to play at the nursing home. Trooper and I got set up outside in the garden area while the residents sat inside and listened. I was not sure if they could hear me, but I did see one of the gals inside f...
Just wanted to send out a little Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to the Blackfoot Valley Dispatch. When I left Lincoln this last time it was mainly because I was worried about my dog. He was needing a little surgery done and with his age I thought it would be best that he be closer to his vet. His surgery went well, and he is doing great now. After we had left Lincoln, we went on close to a month long camping trip. We stayed at Flint Creek Campground between Philipsburg and...
There was a song that came out back in the early 80's when I was in high school: "I Can't Drive 55," by Sammy Hagar. Well, with my moving, I have been taking my things down to Drummond in my little blue van, with the many ducks glued on the roof. I find that as I am getting older, the song I sing is "I Can Drive 55." Occasionally, I will go 65 but my little van is getting old and I have to take 'er easy, especially when it's loaded down. I think back when I was a young kid,...
With my time here vastly coming to a close, I am sadly not going to be able to thank all the people, organizations and businesses for all they do for this wonderful little town, I apologize for that. Lincoln is truly fortunate for all the great services it provides; grocery store, gas station, bank, restaurants, newspaper, just to name a few. One of the businesses I wanted to thank before I go is a business that folks here in Lincoln are extremely fortunate to have. Grizzly...
Well, I have to say I thoroughly enjoyed writing my little stories for the BVD each week and I will still try to send in a few from afar. I do appreciate all the positive feedback I have received on my little stories. There is a quote that states "We rise by lifting others." That was what I was trying to accomplish with my stories. Lifting people and organizations and thanking them for all that they do. I have lived in Lincoln on and off for over 20 years now, but I have to...
Be it Summer, Winter, Spring, or Fall, whatever time of the year you will see this young fellow of 86 out for his daily walk down through Lincoln. Richard McInally, or Mack is what most know him as, moved to Lincoln with his wife Christine in January 1992. Pryor to that, Mack was in the Navy from 1952 to 1956 and for three and a half years, Mack ran the office for the Blue Angels. When out of the service, Mack had worked for the Great Falls Gas Co. for more than 10 years. In...
With the 4th of July just around the corner, here are a few important tips to keep your pets safe. Keep your pets secured during fireworks, inside your home. Give them a safe place to hide like a comfortable room or a dog crate. Mask the noise of the fireworks by turning up the TV or radio. Make sure their tags are current, just in case they do get out Skip the celebration and stay home with them. Sometimes your presence makes all the difference. I have known a few people...
With spring trying to give way for summer, it takes me back to when I first moved to Lincoln in the early 90's. I came up here looking for a bartending job and the first place I hit when I got to town was the Wheel Inn. I asked Doug at the time if they needed any help and they didn't, but that is also when I first met Arny Brown. He happened to be sitting there having a Bud Lite and he told me that he might need some help at the Wilderness Bar. I remember it was a Tuesday...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to Jules and Marilyn Burgert. They moved to Lincoln three years ago. Jules had been an engraver for over ten years before losing the feeling in some of his fingers and thumbs. One day while watching an infomercial - I think that is what it's called anyways - it was talking about a kit you could by to learn to build guitars. Jules was hesitant about buying it, but his wife Marilyn kept on him about giving it a try, so it was she who...
Often on my travels up Stemple to get firewood or to just go for a drive, I pass by the little red cabin where I first lived when I first moved to Lincoln in the early 90's. It's that first little place on the left after you cross the bridge over the Blackfoot River. Each time I drive by I have a different memory of it. Back when I lived there it was owned by Jackie Schmutzler. When I had first moved in, I did not have a pet until I think his name was Don Bergum - my memory...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to Aaron, Kristin, and Damion Birkholz. This July will be their sixth year in ownership of Coyote Coffee. Before they took it over it belonged to Jay and Heather Terman. Aaron and Kristin had both worked for Heather and when she had passed away, her husband Jay had offered them a chance to carry on Heather's business. They accepted and they wanted to carry on her business without changing the way she did things. They did add a few...
I know I have been sending out thanks to individuals and organizations, etc. and I will continue to do so, but this week I want to send a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the folks out there who make up this wonderful little community called Lincoln, Montana. When I had first moved here in the early 90’s, one of the things I loved so much about the town was how welcoming the people were here. Not always would they ask, “what you were doing”, they would give you a sincere and...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the dedicated members of the American Legion Post 9. They have 61 members in our area which includes Helmville and Ovando. I can't name all the members, but here are a few: Doug Vulcan – Adjutant, Rick Foreman – Commander, Rich Paul – Service Officer; Jim Phennicie – Sergeant at Arms; Dawn Charron – Public Relations; Mark Martin – Vice Commander. Their main goal is to honor Veterans and to help people and organizatio...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the folks who are still out there working during these uncertain times. The first responders and healthcare workers who are on the frontlines of this virus and the high traffic areas, such as the gas stations and grocery and hardware stores, banks, post office, phone company, liquor store, coffee shops etc. From right here in Lincoln and beyond. Also, I want to send out a big thanks to the folks who are still providing meals...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to the fine folks who run the Lincoln branch of the Lewis and Clark Library. Recently retired Sherri Wood had been there for over 30 years and did an amazing job. The new branch manager Kate Radford has been there for seven months now, and branch assistant Eleanor Pierce has been there for 20 years. Substitute Sally Bogaert is retiring after six years. They all do a wonderful job at trying to bring the community together. With Lincoln...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to Roger Brandenburger, Mike Nordahl, and Jeanette Nordahl, who are all members of the Lincoln Sewer District. Wastewater treatment operators Roger and Mike are on call 24-hours-a-day, seven-days-a-week. They take care of two main pump stations and four lesser stations, plus all the little pump stations around town. They also maintain four manhole stations around town. They pump up to three sewer lagoons. One holds 13 million gallons...
I was just thinking about a short time ago when I had gone into a little café for lunch. I was sitting there having my meal when a young family of four came in. As soon as they sat down, their phones came out. Not a word was said by any of them. The mom and dad and the two young children sitting with their heads down staring at their phones. The only words that came out of their mouth was when a waitress took their order, then they were back glued to their phones. Even when...
Just wanted to send out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the wonderful folks at D & D Foodtown. When I came back to Lincoln in 2018, before I had made my decision to move, I had stopped in the D & D and that is where I first met Makenzie Storey. Her big smile really made me feel welcome when I came into the store and I got to thinking to myself, "If everybody is as kind as her, I think I will move back here." Makenzie is definitely one of the many reason why I did come...
With high school basketball season coming to a close, I just wanted to send out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the men and women officials who travel many miles every day, not just to Lincoln but all over the state of Montana to referee games. Football, basketball, volleyball and so on. I believe their main goal is to keep the games fair and keep the kids safe. Often times, they have to put up with much verbal abuse from parents and fans, and there is no excuse for...
Sending out a big Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all who have participated in the making and selling of the big Valentine’s cookie sale the Lincoln school puts on every year. Teresa Brown is a big contributor to the work that is done. She said the big cookie sale started when she was a sophomore cheerleader. She said to make the heart shape of the cookie they started by using cardboard templates that they would cut around, but in recent years they have been able to use a metal c...
Just wanted to send out a little Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to the local truck drivers that live here in Lincoln. I apologize if I miss anyone. I am just going by the ones I currently know. I know that Eric Grantier and Willie DenBoer have both been trucking logs for more than 20 years around here, running their own trucks. I am not sure if I am at liberty to mention company names but my friend, Christ Lewenight had been driving for the same company for more than 25 years and hav...
Just wanted to send out a little Hey Howdy Hey to Mr. Ernie Lundberg. I was walking my dog Trooper down the street last Thursday or could have been Friday. I can’t remember, but the one thing I do remember is we were walking by the Community Hall and I heard some loud banging coming from the roof of the building. Then I saw Ernie high up on a ladder using a sledgehammer and a shovel to break up the snow and ice off the roof. When I asked him about it, he said in years before t...
Sending a little Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to all the wonderful folds who make the Neighbors Helping Neighbors Thrift Store what it is today. Coordinator Diane Ironi started this little store ten years ago in the Methodist Church garage. She wanted to be able to help people out and make money for the community. And all proceeds that are made do just that. Along with the help of her dedicated volunteer’s Becca O’Leary, Joyce Ferguson, Rosaire Hoffman, Ron Lydiard, Susie Ruff, Syl...
Just wanted to send out a little Hey Howdy Hey of thanks to the fellows who run the Lincoln Transfer Site. Doug Cousins, who has been there 15 years and Dan Thomas who is under a month shy of three years. There is much work that is done at the site, along with many miles to cover with the truck. They travel east as far as the Montana Department of Transportation lot. West, they go out to Lone Point Rd and do the loop. South up Dalton Mountain and up Stemple Pas to McDunn’s, a...
