Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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PERFECT STORM - Icy roads, steep downhill grade, and unmoving wildlife are a recipe for disaster on Highway 200's Thompson River bridge. A rollover last weekend (unrelated to wildlife) was the most recent mishap at the bridge area....
COLBY LANTZ, Thompson Falls – “I’ve always tried really hard. I may have slipped a few times, though.” JACOB TILLMAN, Thompson Falls – “Yes. I made a goal to get out of my hometown in Michigan, and here I am!” JASON THORNTON, Thompson Falls – “I don’t typically make them, so I suppose I have a perfect record.” LILY BUCHANAN, Thompson Falls – “I always make the goal to keep my grades up, and I’ve always followed through.” ROB CHRISTENSEN, Thompson Falls – “I don’t really make any, I just do everything right the first time.” SUSANNE STOVER, Th...
Wherever a school district can save money, it is a good thing. And when that money can be saved because other departments can provide a service while educating students, that is all the better. When Thompson Falls School District's band teacher Adam Craw had a need for some instrument repairs, he was not looking forward to the process of getting the instruments out of town for fixing. "It is always a bit of an ordeal when instruments go to the shop," said Craw, "our available instruments for...
A free information session will help those struggling with anxiety and depression decide if an upcoming workshop would be right for them. During the Depression and Anxiety Recovery Program, attendees will learn to identify depression and anxiety, as well as their causes. Tackling these issues will help improve emotional intelligence, a trait that is considered by experts to be vital in navigating relationships with family, friends and employers. The classes hope depression and anxiety recovery will enhance energy levels and moods – both of w...
WITH MODERATE AND EXTREME remodels and fixes over the years, the Rex Theatre in Thompson Falls is a Main Street landmark that has been the venue of county entertainment for over 75 years. Since the movie industry’s expensive switch to digital, the local theatre has leaned heavily on live performances and generous donations to keep the doors open and the stage available for local and traveling musicians, high school plays, birthday parties and fundraisers. Those who have a special place in their hearts and memories of the old theater can help o...
SCOTT PALMER, Thompson Falls – "One year I got a rifle from my dad. That was pretty special." HAWK FRATZKE, Thompson Falls – "I got a chainsaw one year. But I really liked the pistol from my dad." JUANITA GAMBREL, Thompson Falls – "I liked the diamond ring I received from my husband before we were married." JAKE PETERSON, Thompson Falls – "I got a 17HMR from my dad. He took it apart and wrapped it in a bunch of separate boxes." BOB THORNHILL, Thompson Falls – "My favorite was when I got to ta...
The plot thickens for the fundraiser to help keep the doors open at the Rex Theatre in Thompson Falls. A special showing of a Montana-filmed vintage movie is scheduled to entertain movie lovers and raise a few dollars to ensure the theatre’s continuance. Released in 1955, “Timberjack” was filmed in the Polson area with a few scenes shot near Missoula. In those days, fanfare for the movie’s release reached fever-pitch in Montana awaiting the opportunity to see their home state on the big screen. The day the movie was shown at the Rex in Thompso...
A new Christmas album has hit the electronic music market, and the artist/producer hails from Thompson Falls. Many are familiar with the tunes of the Thompson Falls Pep Band at games, the brass and woodwind at school concerts and the swingin' sounds of the jazz band. All of those melodies come from the preparation and direction of band teacher Adam Craw. Craw has been teaching in the district publicly and gives music lessons with his spare time, but the instructor also has the musician's itch...
It is common practice for corporations and institutions to have a mission statement and core values displayed as a reminder of what they stand for, but for many organizations keeping those ideas alive and giving them credence beyond the pages they are written on is the challenge. “Just words” was the core value status Thompson Falls School District was trying to avoid. “The work is never done, and it shouldn’t be,” said Thompson Falls School District No. 2 Superintendent Jason Slater. “It has been a long road to get where we are, but the pro...
The old adage, "no good deed goes unpunished," rings true again – as staffers at Thompson River Animal Care Shelter found out. And the pain dished out came from an all too familiar source in the county. Last month, TRACS rescued 23 dogs from a home in Hot Springs. And recently, three of those animals came down with the parvo virus. One puppy died from the disease, but the other two were able to be saved. With a mortality rate of 91 percent, dogs that contract the canine parvovirus (CPV) can b...
It's a cause that needs constant assistance, and an investment that pays out in dividends. The historic building that is the Rex Theatre is the only building that serves the original purpose for which it was built, bearing the original name and nearly identical structurally as it was established in 1939. Over the years, there have been various efforts to raise money to keep the doors open in the movie house-turned-show venue. Owners Doug and Karen Grimm took it on hoping to show movies, but the...
County Commissioners held a public meeting last Thursday regarding possible changes to personnel and staffing in the county operations. The idea has been tossed around for years to consolidate the duties of the County Clerk and Recorder/Assessor/Surveyor with the duties of the County Treasurer/Superintendent of Schools. The change would also include the hiring of a Chief Financial Officer (CFO) to manage the county’s finances in real-time with day-end balances available for transparency and to keep the county expenses and budget planning in c...
What would you do for the community with $4,000? That was a question pondered by a group of ladies at the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks Lodge in Thompson Falls when deciding where to use the Grant of Gratitude and Elks Anniversary Grant at their disposal for community oriented activities. The group had already pledged $1,000 to help the Friends of the Quilting House in their constant quest to create beautiful, warm quilts for local and regional veterans in thanks for their service and as a friendly reminder that vets have serious...
Youth turned out to participate in the Elks Lodge Annual Hoop Shoot. Participants do their best to hit shots from the free throw line in elimination rounds to move on in the national competition. Sunday, November 5, found shooters at the line in Thompson Falls High School gymnasium to put their hours of practice to work. Organizer Mike Thilmony worked with volunteers Katrina Nygaard, Carl Padden, Lisa Mickelson, Bill Kenyon, Arlene Mack, Megan Baxter, Don Manning, Jesse Mack, Doug Padden, Ron Sharp, Darrell Torgrimson, Darrell and Doris Grimm...
"This was, by far, the best parade I've been a part of," said Joanne Burk, who just completed her ninth year as the Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce's parade organizer at First Security Bank. "Everyone really went all out in decorating their floats. Their effort was evident," she added. Burk had a goal after last year to boost the number of entries for this year. Last week, Burk reported 21 total entries – down ten entries from the previous year. On parade day, Saturday, 31 entries were p...
It is not uncommon for businesses to open their doors to the public during the Christmas on Main Street event in Thompson Falls, but Thompson Falls Public Library had their doors open for the seasonal hubbub two days prior, as well. The reason for the early open-door policy was to draw library and reading supporters through the municipality's threshold for their annual holiday fundraiser. The fundraiser works in the form of a book and bake sale, as librarians have sifted through surplus books...
It was a busy yet productive day for vendors at the Annual Sanders County Christmas Bazaar. It was a chance for the craftier among us to tout the creations they've been working on and make a few extra dollars for the Christmas season. In addition to the homespun items available, other individuals, groups and churches had their booths set up in the high school gym for the annual local shopping event. As busy as the vendors were, no one at the event was juggling as much as Janie McFadgen, who...
"We were so glad for the community support, it is good to know people appreciate this little performance each year," said Jan Manning, who created Christmas Music at the Rex eight years ago as a way to put a cap on the busy, event-filled day of Christmas on Main Street in Thompson Falls. Before Christmas Music at the Rex was created, many just didn't feel that the evening was over once the Main Street Parade concluded. These days, parade-goers appreciate the open doors of the Rex Theatre to...
When it comes to history, there is always more to be found. Local author/historian Fredi Pargeter can attest to that statement. Pargeter has made it a point to learn the history of places she's lived, and the many transcripts on the different facets of each locale prove that she's no rookie when it comes to learning, interviewing, researching and digging up information that had lost hope of being found. With her latest published release, "This Old Town," she'll be proving it again. Pargeter had...
From sun up ‘til past sundown, there will be plenty to do Saturday, Dec. 2, for Christmas on Main Street. But one event is going to get its start two days before, and run until the parade ends. The Friends of the Thompson Falls Public Library will be holding a book and bake sale at the library, Thursday (10 a.m.-6 p.m.), Friday (10 a.m.-5 p.m.), and Saturday (10 a.m. until the parade’s conclusion). The library will be open for regular services and as a haven for parade goers looking to escape the cold. Supporters of the library welcome the publ...
In 1978, the first Sanders County Christmas Bazaar was held by creator Ginny Dyer. It has become a staple tradition each year that invites vendors and shoppers to gather for buying and selling of unique items, needful things, and handmade gifts and crafts. The chairperson position of the bazaar has changed a few times over the years, but even with different leadership the spirit of the event has remained. In a twist of fate, the bazaar now finds itself in new hands, although not far from the tree that it originally fell from. When word was out...
Utilizing the first weekend in December, Thompson Falls welcomes the yuletide season with the Annual Christmas on Main Street. While Saturday, Dec. 2, looks to be a very busy day for those wanting to keep up with the festivities, the tradition began decades ago with a parade. The Christmas on Main Street Parade begins at 6:30 p.m. Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce has invited groups, churches, businesses and individuals to join the holiday procession each year. Float entries have entertained and given onlookers pause for thought as floats...
Sometimes the best intentions garner the most undesirable results. This is a fact that Thompson River Animal Care Shelter (TRACS) has come to help a few big-hearted animal lovers come to grips with. "Some people want to help as many animals as they can, but despite their best efforts they are not equipped with the resources to be able to adequately provide for their needs," said TRACS co-founder Wanda Thorpe. "When people try to take on large numbers of animals in their home, it often turns out...
"This is one of our favorite things to do for our community," said Plains Lions Club president, Duane Highcrane between checking in students and assisting his fellow Lions at Thompson Falls Elementary School, Thursday. The Lions arrived at the school at 9 a.m., taking over a small room in the hallway near the secretary's office. The four members from the Plains club set up complicated-looking equipment and began lining up small groups of student in the hall. The students waited patiently as...
by Justin Harris Thompson Falls Chamber of Commerce met Thursday with plenty on the agenda in the upcoming month. By far the busiest day on their calendar will be Christmas on Main Street, which always falls on the first weekend of December. This year, the bulk of events will fall on Saturday, December 2. Getting a jump start on the festivities is the Thompson Falls Public Library, which will hold a ‘Better Book Sale and Holiday Cookie Sale.’ The sale begins Thursday, November 30 from 10 a.m. until 6 p.m. The event will continue Friday fro...
