The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
The Blackfoot Valley's News Source Since 1980
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This past Saturday was a great day. Not because it was Saturday, but because my son Jesse and I got to do some long overdue maintenance on his pickup truck. You see Jesse has the potential to be a very good mechanic, but like his Pa he gets his priorities mixed up. His poor ol' truck has had to endure two broken rear leaf springs for longer than I care to think. Jesse has put up with lots of creaking, noise, and strange handling due to those broken springs. He and I spent...
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...
You know, normally I have an opinion about, well, just about everything. Most of the time I choose not to share most of those opinions and just save a few for this column throughout the year. If I shared my honest opinion right now, about so many things going on in our world, the language alone would have everyone's head spinning – and for the record – I'm not usually a person who uses foul language to describe anything. I have found myself angry and hurt by so much lat...
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...
From My Perspective - Bullies, Beliefs, and Reality I'm tired of being bullied by those who do not share or agree with my beliefs. There used to be a time when people could have different views and beliefs, as well as conversations about their differences and still be kind to one another and remain friends. Today, that seems like more of an anomaly. Back when this pandemic began there were two things that struck me. First, something just didn't "feel" right to me about the...
The other day as I was finishing up building a second-story deck, my thoughts ran to several projects that I needed to get to next. I mean this deck has been on my mind for almost 16 years, since we moved into our home prior to it being totally done! People had cautioned us, "Don't move in until everything is done.' But hey, we had eight people living in a friend's shop building, we were moving in asap! There were some definite concerns over how to build this deck, but once I...
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...
It’s a time for new beginnings, which is fitting as Montana starts Phase 1 of re-opening the state, and a beginning to our “new normal.” I feel like this new normal will be a little different for everyone. Some will go back to exactly the way things used to be for them, while others, maybe not-so-much. If you all remember, not long ago I wrote about wanting to be “un-busy.” The forced shut down due to a pandemic may just have been a blessing in disguise. No, please don’t read that wrong. I’m not saying the coronavirus i... Full story
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...
During these insane days of government overreach, medical hysteria and misinformation, bogus computer models, consistency in the lies and attacks from communist groups both outside and within the U.S.A. I have marveled at the willingness of the people to give up their freedoms and economic power. If there is one thing I have learned from these days, it is that none of us have all the knowledge, information and answers for even the smallest of the world's problems. Throw in a...
BVD, I saw your article in the paper a week or two ago and then got the survey that was mailed in this last issue about the struggle you are having making ends meet with the local paper. A lot of appreciation always goes unsaid and we go about our lives and don't think about it. Seems like a lot of things have been going more and more digital in the last 10 years and making it hard for the local papers to survive. I really appreciate the job you guys do with the paper and...
I recently saw a post on Facebook about information not being available to residents in Lincoln. One way this person mentioned to find information was the community bulletin boards at the Post Office, which were taken down because someone in the community was taking down other businesses information. They were then put back up, and are being carefully monitored. I agree the bulletin boards are a fantastic way to let people know of things for sale, and yes, it's free, but...
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...
Last Sunday the world celebrated Easter. The first Easter was the day in which the disciples and enemies of the Lord Jesus Christ discovered that the tomb in which Joseph of Arimathaea and Nicodemus had laid the body of Jesus was empty. The disciples of Jesus were perplexed and sorrowful over the empty tomb. Even though Jesus had been telling them for months, and even years that He would be rejected, crucified (he often used the term "lifted up") and then rise from the dead...
In May of 2009, our fourth child, Isaiah, came into the world. He was born at 9 am and weighed nine pounds. He was floppy and had a cleft lip but he was perfect and beautiful in our eyes. Quietly the midwife told us she believed he had Down syndrome. We saw a doctor the next day, she said she saw no such indications. Then, when Isaiah was three days old, he kept turning a greyish blue. We went to the clinic, where they told us there was a serious problem, gave us an oxygen tank with a tiny mask and instructed us to get him... Full story
Dear Readers: These are uncertain times, and if you're like me, uncertainty is not one of your favorite topics. We have not yet reached the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. Unfortunately, some people have lost their jobs, and many of the lucky ones are working from home. Times like these can trigger emotions of anxiety and grief, and when we are experiencing difficult feelings, we may try to push those feelings down with extra food. You've heard of it, maybe participated in i...
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...
So, how are you doing? This seems to be the question I ask most nowadays, because for me, checking in with people has become more important than ever and what I’m doing a lot of these days. Checking in with family, friends, loved ones, and even people I don’t know very well. Now, it’s not the typical way I would have done it prior to recent events. Before, it was more of an in-person thing, you know, standing face-to-face asking someone, “How are you hanging in with everyth...
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...
Early 1960’s, Dad finally got a good one. He trained Field Trial Dogs, so growing up you didn’t get attached to them. They’d come and go. Just dogs after all. I’d help him with his hobby, when I was younger. As I got into my teens, I was in pursuit of my own adventures. Beau, we called him; his full name was Lord Bomar. His muscles rippled when he walked, he was the epitome of the Labrador breed. He’d pick-up the laundry one piece at a time when Mom was hanging the wash. Dad was kinda heavy handed with the strap, even used...
As April comes around each year, I always look back to the years 2000-2001. You may remember those days. The end of the world from Y2K did not happen. The power grid did not fail. The world did not spin off its axis or orbit into the sun. Yes, we survived that period where people were buying all the generators, guns and ammo, stock-piling food, etc. You know I do not remember people hoarding toilet paper or hand sanitizer though! Ha, we did not know how good we had it back...
My original column didn’t seem fitting for a time like now. Fortunately, other thoughts came to my mind instead that felt better suited for now. Yesterday, even though I woke up to snow, the sun was rising and the skies were clearing. For me, it was very symbolic. Like many around the world, this past week took me by surprise. Events were canceled, establishments closed, social gatherings of almost every kind being discouraged. But the second day of spring began to give me h...
Dear Readers: This past week I attended the funeral of my best friend's brother who died suddenly of a massive heart attack. He was only 49. You don't realize how many lives one life touches until you attend a funeral. The exchange of love and support between friends and family, the stories that begin with "Remember when . . .?", the laughter that softens the tears. Does the dearly departed know how much he meant to other people? I sure hope so. Heart disease is the number one...
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...
