Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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It was a first for the state park in Thompson Falls, and for many youth in attendance. Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks (FWP) held the first annual Kids Fishing Day at the small pond in the park. "We were very fortunate with the weather," said fisheries biologist Jason Blakney on the overcast morning, "perfect fishing weather – we didn't get rained on and it wasn't too hot." Blakney, other FWP representatives and Forest Service personnel were on site to assist kids in finding a passion for f...
A lone singer sat on the Rex Theater stage Saturday and strummed his guitar to a nearly empty theater. Sharing his traditional-style country songs, the man also brought with him some priceless stories of his run- ins with music legends. Old-time country fans missed a rare gem in the performance and anecdotes of Mike Beck. Beck has been in the country music game for a long time. He recalls the days when one could pack a guitar to the Bakersfield, California, VFW Hall on a Sunday and join the likes of Merle Haggard or Buck Owens. For being of...
Thompson Falls School District has landed on a decision to fill the vacant superintendent position following Jason Slater’s exit. With four original candidates in the running, William “Bill” Cain will assume the superintendent responsibilities beginning July 1. Cain is wrapping up his duties as Director of Student Services at Hartland Consolidated Schools in East Lansing, Michigan. Since 1987, he has also worked as the elementary school principal, athletic director, assistant high school principal, teacher and coach for that school syste...
"It was pitched to us as a marketing tool for community outreach," explained Dr. Andrew Ordelheide, who runs MT West Dentist with his wife, Dr. Elizabeth Ordelheide. "We weren't even halfway through our first event when we realized you can't help but truly help people with a program like this." Dr. Andrew is referring to the annual free dental care day held for the community, known as Dentistry from the Heart. Ordelheide's practice wrapped up its fourth year holding the event on Thursday, only g...
It is a celebration of Hot Springs history and a festival of fun and food. Hot Springs Homesteader Days was held last weekend, giving the town a temporary boost in population and businesses a chance to share their uniqueness with visitors. Games, relays and activities kept youth and families busy – with a chance to win cash prizes, such as the Rubber Ducky Race that landed one youth $100. The downtime between larger events was filled with music from regional musicians, including the blues driven...
April and May were busy months for 16 lady bowlers from Thompson Falls. Participants in the State Women’s Bowling Tournament made their way to Sleeping Giant Lanes in Helena. Team Division A listed Falls team 300 Wannabees (Wendy Kelley, Nancy Gressang, Renee Klinger, Sandi Torres) as placing fourth, while the Madhatters (MaryBeth Muro, Mary Thomas, Faith Linguisa, Wendy Luckow) took 23rd, and FUN Team (Lee Martin, Susan Sweatman, Nancy Fields, Ginger Ward) taking 43rd in the state. Team Division B put the Falls Dangerous Dames (Eileen Turk, M...
It is the time of year that the population of Hot Springs gets a boost… for a weekend. The 68th Annual Homesteader Days Celebration is an event that features a fun run, car show, rodeo, and live music. Food and vendors tempt residents and visitors, while the action is spread across three days - from downtown to Highway 28. Friday, June 8, will have vendors setting up at noon featuring arts, crafts and food booths. Fergie’s Pub will feature live music beginning at 9 p.m. Registration for the Car Show will begin Saturday morning, 9 a.m. on Wal...
"Going Dutch" has a different meaning for Colleen Sloan of Sandy, Utah. Her healthy obsession with Dutch oven cooking has had her traveling near and far to share the joys of cooking pioneer-style. Her warm smile and expertise in cast iron culinary arts brought her to Sanders County this weekend to impart her knowledge. "The International Dutch Oven Society has chapters all over the world, and we'd like to generate interest to start one here," Sloan explained as she served up warm apple crisp...
WESTERN SUNSET - The sun sets over the Noxon bridge, casting a golden glow on the Clark Fork River....
Some youth get the bug, taking the bait – hook, line and sinker. That is why Montana Fish Wildlife and Parks (FWP) organize Kids Fishing Day every year in Noxon. "We had 102 kids registered this year," shared FWP's Region 1 Conservation Technician, Marc Terrazas, "and this is the 29th year FWP has held this event to educate and introduce youngsters to fishing." In preparation for the big day, Triangle Pond was stocked with fish to populate the waters for the mob of youth. Families arrived at t...
With her ballot complete, Frances Thoma of Thompson Falls hands it to one of the many election judges working election day throughout the county. Judges must complete a workshop regarding rules and conduct for running a polling place and are not finished until votes are counted that night....
Montana Highway Patrol responded to a one-vehicle accident just west of Trout Creek, Monday at 5 p.m., near Mile Marker 27. Trooper Jourdan Gulick was on the scene and Saint's Wrecking and Towing of Thompson Falls removed the vehicle that had rolled at least once before landing on its top. The tan Chevrolet Suburban was carrying two adults and five youth and landed nearly 20 feet from the road. Trooper Gulick confirmed that the rear wheel had fallen off the vehicle, but other factors of the...
It is an event that is becoming a year-end tradition for fifth and sixth grade students at Thompson Falls schools. A lesson in construction, velocity and impact results. A tournament of speed and design. The Egg Car Races that took place Friday had students using only paper, glue, and tape to make car bodies, and plastic push-popsicle ends for wheels and axles. The idea was to create vehicles that could transport an egg down a wooden track with enough speed to beat their competitor and keep the...
It was a clever and thoughtful effort by the Noxon senior class. Seniors Cory Brodmerkle and Caitlyn Hagen worked with their peers to create a fundraiser for a family in need of assistance – but not just any fundraiser, a Daddy Daughter Dance that the youngest of ladies would never forget. "Cory suggested doing a Daddy Daughter Dance because her former school used to do them and they created some great memories," said Hagen who helped organize the class to decorate the gym for a formal look. "...
It was four days jam packed with fun, excitement and sports. It was also four days that won't be forgotten by a little girl - and likely anticipated each year with excitement. Brooke Flemmer has been waiting to participate in the Special Olympics joining her uncle, veteran athlete Justin Knutson in the fanfare that takes place at the state level. Athletes must be 8 years old, making a happy circumstance as Flemmer's birthday fell just in time to participate in the regional games in Kalispell,...
Natalie Erwin, Trout Creek – “Live life, have fun, behave yourself.” Alec White, Thompson Falls – “Enjoy your summer, but it will be awkward if fall rolls around and you aren’t going to college.” Gary Mackey, Thompson Falls – “Go to trade school. It's faster and more useful than a college degree.” Herb Meagher, Plains – “Enjoy the moment, it only gets tougher from here.” Wes Hedahl, Thompson Falls – “Get the heck outta town.” Teresa Bishop, Thompson Falls – “Follow your dreams....
Trout Creek Community Improvement Association volunteers took time to prepare the Trout Creek Park for a busy summer. Pine needles were picked up, the stage was swept and cleaned, and weeds were sprayed....
Jennifer McPherson was one of three speakers during a commuinity awareness seminar presented by the Local Advisory Committee at the Rex Theatre in Thompson Falls last Wednesday. Representing the Flathead Valley Chemical Dependency Clinic, McPherson spoke with authority on the subject as a professional and as one who is not shy about drug abuse in her past that led to her current profession. McPherson was proceeded by Abby Harnett, director of Western Montana Mental Health Center (WMMHC), which has recently taken over the mental health role at...
It was time to say goodbye and drive off into the sunset – again. Noxon principal Rik Rewerts organized and participated in the school's 5th Annual Car Show. Although he didn't give himself any awards for his maroon '77 Chevelle SS that was previously owned by an NBA player, he was pleasantly surprised when Noxon educator Tracey Dean took the microphone to laud his service as an administrator and a friend to all at the school. Other staff also had kind words to say and he was presented with a p...
They say no man is an island, but sometimes grocery stores are. At least, according to Thompson Falls Harvest Foods owner Jim Farger. "As a rural, remote location without many other options, we have a duty to do our best to provide the best quality and selection of products for customers," Farger shared. "That means we have to find good deals so that we can pass the savings on." Farger brought more than 35 years' grocery retail experience to the store when he took over the beginning of 2017. Whe...
It is an effort that goes largely unnoticed, except by those who live and play up Thompson River. For five years, Sanders County Flycasters have been taking on the trash left by visitors to the recreational river area. Flycaster Miles Sexton said the chore gets easier every year, but there is always plenty to pick up. “I think the brunt of the trash was picked up in the first two years, because our load going out has been lighter ever since.” Sexton reported that about 35 volunteers showed up for the effort, including a group of students fro...
It was time to pass the torch for the organization of the Law Enforcement Torch Run supporting the Special Olympics. Longtime organizer Deputy April Phillips, who carried that torch for years after the late Dave Hedley, passed the duty on to Deputy Roy Scott. Scott wasn't shy about sharing the complications of his first year taking on the volunteer role, "It was a struggle from beginning until the day of the event. I was lucky to have some very strong support from the community and about 60...
In technology, progress is the name of the game. And in the rural hospital setting, keeping an edge on the tech game has been the priority at Clark Fork Valley Hospital. The latest example of that strategy is the recent acquisition of new equipment in the imaging department of the hospital – an acquisition that puts CFVH ahead of the game, even compared to large regional hospitals. "This is state of the art, top of the line equipment. The most advanced presently available in the world," said D...
Despite the freezing temps and wind chill, warm-fuzzy feelings were present at the Trout Creek Easter Egg-stravaganza. "We have some pretty tough Montana kids. We had over 240 kids registered – just shy of last year's numbers when the weather was better," said Liz Stender, whose efforts with Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) help to put on the annual Easter egg hunt, "it was too cold for little fingers to do arts and crafts and cookie decorating, but they didn't let the c...
The town of Dixon is preparing for a stampede of bison this Saturday – or so the event’s name suggests. The stampede is actually the 4th Annual Bison Stampede Fun Run that invites area runners, joggers, and walkers to help raise money for improvements on Dixon’s school campus that is nearly 100 years old. Participants can join the excitement and run in a 5 kilometer race, 10 kilometer, or the 1 Mile Run for Fun. Once the races are finished, a pancake breakfast will be served. The entry fee for the 5k/10k is $25. There is no charge for child...
