Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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Trout Creek Community Improvement Association's (TCCIA) Easter Eggstravaganza was a huge success for its sixth time, according to Elizabeth Stender of TCCIA. "We had over 200 kids who braved the cold and rainy elements," Stender shared of Saturday's event. "The Easter egg hunt was amazing, we had over 6,000 eggs" that were stuffed Wednesday by volunteers. "It literally takes an army to pull this off," Stender said of the many helpers. Stender shared that in addition to giving away 10 bicycles,...
Noxon School is proud to announce that four students have earned a competitive position in Business Professionals of America's (BPA) National Leadership Conference (NLC) taking place the first week of May. There will be approximately 8,000 students at the conference joining Noxon's Madison Koonce, Levi Brubaker, Andy Koonce and Laurel Miller in nationally standardized co-curricular exercises supporting business, finance, office administration and information technology. Fundraising events have...
For more than a century, humans have nourished the concept of making books available by vehicular transportation. Residents of rural areas such as Sanders County, where libraries are nonexistent or far and few between, have an appreciation for this notion. The Sanders County Bookmobile has been part of many lives since its conception in the 1960s, when the county voted it in. Functioning as a library on wheels, the Bookmobile facilitates monthly visits to Dixon, Hot Springs, Lonepine, Paradise,...
by Shana Neesvig Some stories are worth sharing over, and over, and over again. In most cases, these stories are based around a single character, perhaps a hero who saved many lives. Last Friday, 52 years to the date, Noxon resident and former Marine James Stogner received the recognition he deserves and has earned legendary status. On April 5, 2019, Stogner was awarded the military's second highest honor, the Navy Cross. Retired Lieutenant General Frank Libutti pinned the Cross on Stogner...
After moving around similar to what Tim Ellis calls a glorified "gypsy lifestyle," he feels he has finally found a home here in Sanders County. In fact, he can be quoted as saying, "If I can help it, I'm done. No more moving." Last fall, Ellis relocated to the area to serve as branch manager of Thompson Falls' Whitefish Credit Union. He brings with him many years of banking experience that moved him across the northern American states. Originally from the Portland, Oregon, area, it was here...
Looking for some fun, live entertainment? The Noxon School Student Council is once again hosting a talent show after taking a year off from the recurring event. “There will be many different acts, including skits done by the student council and other things done by students and staff within the school,” stated Madison Koonce, Noxon student. Although the event did not originate as a fundraiser, this year all proceeds will go back to the student council to help cover costs for decorations and other things they do throughout the year, Koonce sha...
There has been much discussion on whether stricter gun control laws should be adopted to protect and safeguard U.S. citizens. At the home of the Eagles in Trout Creek, four students have taken the gun control debate further and have created a podcast, a digital audio file that is available via the Internet or to download, concentrating on the issue. Until recently, most politically debated topics were appealing to adults only. With schools seeing an increase in gun violence, students are...
Every year the Flat Iron Quilting Guild selects one of their members to be featured during the April Quilt Show. This year, Valerie Hoynacki will hold the honor of Featured Quilter. Hoynacki is well versed with stitching. Her hobby began as a child when she enrolled in the 4-H sewing project. "I remember my first couple of years I made an apron, then the next year a skirt," she said. "It just kept growing from there." It was 40 years ago, in 1980, when she sewed her first quilt, entirely by...
We all have dreams we wish to come true. For 17-year-old Cooper Milne, it hasn't taken very long for that to happen. She recently published her first book of a two-part series and has plans for book two to be available by this time next year. The Warriors of Destrey: Part One of the Destrey Series, is a 296-page story about a girl named Acta who, according to Milne, portrays her own life. "She's my doppelganger," Milne said, adding that the story mimics happenings in her actual life. "I wrote...
Thompson Falls Main Street Committee (TFMSC) is embarking on a new adventure through the creation of the Thompson Falls Public Art Initiative. The goal is to build relations between local businesses, artists and the public while creating a life-long connection to the community. “We are interested in beginning a program for public art downtown,” shared Jen Kreiner, TFMSC. “Ideally, the proposed project structure would bridge the business community and the school district through a volunteer art initiative.” Together, downtown buildings that co...
Bowling season 2019 is in the books for young bowlers. The season ended with the second reinstatement of original founders Gene and Ruth LaBrosse's no-tap tournament. According to Thompson Falls bowling enthusiast Ginger Ward, "We had a no-tap tournament again this year and hope to continue it in the future" in memory of the LaBrosses, who were tragically killed in an airplane crash years ago. Two divisions were awarded with top male and female bowlers. In the Juniors class, ages 9 to 14, Zack...
After years of preparation, research, organization and planning between the Thompson Falls School District, law enforcement and Sanders County emergency responders, a successful lockdown drill at Thompson Falls High School was implemented last week. School Resource Officer Bob Thornhill said that the greatest achievement may be the collaborative efforts between Sanders County emergency responders and the Thompson Falls School District. Although school teachers and staff have had prior training...
If you are looking for Montana Fish, Wildlife and Park's (FWP) office, you will have to head east of Thompson Falls, where they have recently relocated to a new building owned by Avista. The end of January, biologists packed up their items from the Forest Service building they were in and made the move to 5427 Highway 200. "We had been leasing the old place from the Forest Service," stated Ryan Kreiner, FWP fisheries biologist. "The Forest Service was interested in getting rid of the property...
The Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) doesn’t stay idle for very long. After just finishing up with the annual Cabin Fever Redneck Ball a few weeks ago, they are now transferring their energy into organizing their 6th annual Easter Eggstravaganza. “To make this event as spectacular as the last two years, we could use a little help,” Elizabeth Stender of TCCIA said. With more than 300 children attending last year’s Easter Eggstravaganza, the event is no small task. “We had over 6,000 eggs filled with candy and prizes” f...
It all began with a painting of Saint William of Vercelli, an Italian who was born in the year 1085 and soon after became an orphan. His story is that he later dedicated his life to God and even healed a blind man. This painting, depicting Saint William with his wolf assistant, was gifted four years ago to Saint William Catholic Church in Thompson Falls from Kathy Altman, a Thompson Falls resident, who moved from New Jersey to the area just over five years ago. Little did she know at this time t...
It was the end of January when the plow truck that services western Sanders County caught fire and was destroyed, just in time for the abundance of snow that fell in February. In order to maintain cleared roadways, the county had to develop a plan to offset this loss of machinery and availability of the facility it was stored in, which also received damage from the flames. County Commissioner Tony Cox reported that an investigation has revealed that the plow's battery mounting bracket had...
More than 1,000 Montana students in grades 7-12 attended the annual Montana Council of Teachers Mathematics Contest held at the University of Montana last Thursday. Thompson Falls was well represented by forty students who were selected by mathematics teachers Jeffreyanne VonHeeder and Katrina Nygaard. In six, half-hour rounds, students were tested (grade level based) on Foundations, Number Concepts, Dimensions and Shapes, Problem Solving, Applied Math, Intermediate or Advanced Math and a Pot...
It is time to polish up those Billy Bob teeth, display your hillbilly best and celebrate in Trout Creek — redneck style. Trout Creek Community Improvement Association (TCCIA) is hosting the 5th annual Cabin Fever Redneck Ball on this Saturday at the Lakeside Motel and Resort. “Last year we had a record-breaking fundraising event,” said Elizabeth Stender, TCCIA chairperson, “and we are really hoping to have a new record breaker this year.” She commented that last year more than $30,000 was raised by TCCIA and every penny went right back into the...
If you go in to renew your driver's license, you might be in for a surprise. Montana is in the process of becoming compliant with the Federal REAL ID Act, meaning that a decision will have to be made on whether a regular license or REAL ID will best suit your needs. Residents who will not be entering federal facilities, nuclear power plants or boarding federally regulated commercial aircraft will not need a REAL ID and a regular driver's license will be suitable. Starting October 1, 2020, a...
The face of the "traditional" college student is changing. When we think of college, we envision an 18-year old dependent, fresh out of high school, who is moving away from their parent's house for the very first time. Times are changing and an increasing amount of college students are not fitting into this mold. Many "non-traditional" students, such as Thompson Falls' Colleen Knutson, realize after a few years that working various "little jobs" will not bring life-long satisfaction. Knutson...
Plains Navy veteran David Williams is well known for his artistic abilities. He is the master behind the 1,000-foot long painting of running horses that was featured near Plains last year and has his artwork featured in the U.S. Capitol. When President Trump visited Missoula last year, Williams gifted him a painted scene of Missoula to take back to Washington, D.C. Williams, a disabled member of Joint Operation Mariposa (a veterans' outreach organization), has suffered a brain injury and has...
Trout Creek Back Country Horsemen held their first meeting of 2019 and are looking forward to new adventures for the months to come. Requests were made for the Horsemen to release a calendar of rides for the upcoming year, and they have responded. President Larry "Doc" Milham has publicly announced all rides, weather dependent to ensure safety, will be on Saturdays and begin on April 27. Following that, rides will occur on May 18, June 22, July 27, August 24, September 28 and October 19....
"I have raised a garden all my life," said Elizabeth Riffle, relating to what life was like growing up as the daughter of Allen and Karen Dykstra, founders of Fruitland Acres located along Highway 200 between Plains and Thompson Falls. "We sold it (Fruitland Acres) around 1993 or 1994 due to my father having a logging accident and just couldn't do it anymore," commented Riffle, who currently resides on the family homestead. She "loves to grow things" and therefore it is fitting her next...
For more than five years, Thompson Falls resident Maggie McGillis and her sixth-grade daughter Callie, have been praying for their dream to come true. With some newly gained momentum, it just might be in their favor. Callie took her concerns to the Thompson Falls School Board on Monday, and on Wednesday she joined 100 other Montana families in Helena to speak to the legislature about supporting Senate Bill (SB) 140. Passing of this bill would require the Office of Public Instruction (OPI) to...
STEVEN HARDY, Plains – “No, I didn’t this year. I’ve gotten it the last five years and I have gotten sick. I thought I’d try something different this year and it seems to be working in my favor.” JAMES GAYTON, Missoula – “I did because I’ve had the flu during spring break as a kid and don’t want that to happen again. It was a very sick experience, and to be sick on my week off. One of the first dark chapters of my life.” DIANA DOYLE, Thompson Falls – “I usually do, but this year did not. We just didn’t get anywhere to get it. I think it is a...
