Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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The 19th annual Thompson Falls Beautification days drew more than 100 volunteers from the area to spruce up the community last week. According to Kathy Conlin, who helps organize Beautification Days, there many returning volunteers each year, with "over half of our groups having an adopted annual project." These groups pick an area to clean during Beautification Days every year. A couple of examples are the Clark Fork Valley Elks, who tackle Wild Goose Landing every spring, and the Thompson...
The warmer weather of spring brings not only people out into the woods of Northwest Montana, but also ticks. People and pets throughout Sanders County have already been spotting ticks in the outdoors. Some residents who have already in the outdoors have said they have noticed more ticks than usual this year. The National Weather Service predicts that tick season (April through October) temperatures will be above normal, with less precipitation. According to the website Pests.org, those...
Despite numerous rumors concerning the demise of Plains Day, a local nonprofit group has decided to make it happen. "The Free Americans," a newly created Sanders County organization, met in Thompson Falls last week to discuss agenda items, which included Plains Day, although only a portion of the group is working on the festival, which had been canceled last year due to COVID, like other festivals. The Hot Springs Homesteaders Days are also going to take place, with three days of activities...
As the Thompson Falls Library turns 100 years old this year, the new library director and her staff have been working to do something special. Crystal Buchanan was told, not long after she took over the position from the former library director, that the library was opened in 1921. This year she wanted to do something to celebrate the library turning 100 years old. Buchanan took up the challenge and the library is proud to announce several ways they will be celebrating the momentous occasion....
When I heard that Quinn's Hot Springs Resort was offering a bonus to employees as an incentive for them to get vaccinated, my initial response was "that's awesome." At The Ledger, we've been strongly encouraging masks and my employees still wear masks when we can't social distance. Masks and precautions as a result of the pandemic have been met with all sorts of comments or political opinions. We have had several customers angry with our policies, when what we are trying to do is simply look out for our neighbors and families. This week, I wrot...
I have to admit that I seriously underestimated the Biden/Harris administration. Shortly after the election, I made several predictions regarding how I expected Biden/Harris to dismantle all the accomplishments of the Trump administration. I’ve been pretty accurate on my predictions so far, but it never dawned on me that they could screw things up so quickly. We’re not even five months into the year. These two are clearly over achievers! I anxiously watched Biden’s press conference on March...
Fried, boiled, baked, fricasseed or slow cooked, no matter how you cook it is still crow, and I have been eating my share of it because of a serious error in my article on voting restrictions of March 29 called “Rainy Night in Georgia.” In that article I stated that people who did not have a picture ID to prove their identity when voting would have to get an official Montana ID card as proof before they could vote. Because that card costs $16.48 I likened it to having to pay a poll tax. I completely ignored the fact that supplying the last fou...
Thompson Falls Beautification Days 2021: My greatest praise, appreciation and thanks to the organizers and all the volunteers (groups and individuals) for their enthusiasm, dedication, and very hard work in the community, at public places, as well as on private property. Being one of those “older folks” no longer able to rake pine needles and pinecones, I especially want to thank each individual who raked and gathered at my place on Friday. They comprised two crews, one from Wood Creek Academy and one from the Mormon church. Thank you, won...
I was just made aware that the Blue Hawk Booster Club board is in the process of deciding to go with a corporate vendor company for the shirts, sweatshirts, hats, etc., they sell at the Blue Hawk games. I am a bit disgusted with this decision. This is a group that I will admit works hard on projects related to our kids and their sports. However, the majority of the money that is raised to support those projects comes from home town, home-grown people supporting the school and the community (through a pandemic no less), yet the booster club...
TYPICAL LUMBER CAMP From interviews conducted by Mike Scott An attempt will be made now to portray a typical lumber camp as it existed shortly after the beginning of the twentieth century, the personnel required to operate such an establishment and some of the customs of the industry. After selecting a site with an eye to the relative level topography and the proximity of a suitable water supply construction of the several buildings was started. Building material consisted almost exclusively of...
Devanie Mango, Thompson Falls - “Hiking, mountain biking and fishing.” Glenda Morgan, Thompson Falls - “Be outside more and be able to visit more people.” Joy Toelke, Ronan - “Go to the fair.” Kim Toelke, Ronan - “See my grandkids in Walla Walla, that was something I couldn’t do last year.” Irene Borden, Thompson Falls - “We don’t usually do too much in the spring. We’re going to stay in and only go out when we have to.” James Borden, Thompson Falls - “I want to get out and walk more than I did last year....
Ambulance: Hot Springs, 2; T. Falls, 8; Plains, 11; Noxon, 1; Dixon, 2; Trout Creek, 2. Monday, April 12 Disturbance, Hot Springs. Animal abuse, Plains. Motor vehicle crash, T. Falls. Abandoned vehicle, Plains. Theft, Plains. Harassment/privacy in communications, T. Falls. Livestock, Perma. Fire, T. Falls. Threats, Plains. Fire, Hot Springs. Fish and game, T. Falls. Fire, Dixon. Livestock, T. Falls. Tuesday, April 13 Informational case, Hot Springs. Welfare check, Heron. Disturbance, Hot Springs. Fire, T. Falls. Assist motorist/citizen, T....
Montana Highway Patrol John Bilodeau, 52, speeding in restricted zone, $105. Devon Lofthus, 26, basic rule, reasonable and prudent, 1st offense, $45; fail to give notice of accident by quickest means, 1st offense, $125; operating without liability insurance, 2nd offense, $185. Michael Coomer, 25, day speeding, $70. Bruce Hunn, 66, day speeding, $20. James Boyes, 68, seatbelt violation, $20. Kelly Caldwell, 64, seatbelt violation, $20. Citori Jones, 17, seatbelt violation, $20. Jeffrey Rode, 23, speeding in restricted zone, $85. James Harty,...
Pulitzer Prize winner Barbara Tuchman (1912-1989) is a name bound to appear on any list of 10 best American historians. With profound scholarship and colorful style, she wrote about history from medieval to modern times, and interestingly, she did so without having studied history in any university. The First Salute (Alfred A. Knopf, 1988) is her account of the American Revolution from the time of the Declaration of Independence to the surrender of British General Cornwallis at Yorktown near the mouth of Chesapeake Bay – roughly 1776 to 1782. T...
Saturday was the last time the Plains School Drama Club will ever perform at the fairgrounds pavilion, but the final time there was murder. "You Must Meet My Wife" was a comedy mystery that included murder, deception, greed, and several twists to keep the audience guessing, said Terri Henry, who heads the drama club and usually only directs the plays. But real life sometimes has its own twists, too, and the drama club is no exception. One of the main actors, senior Ruby Martinez, was put on...
The question of support continues for Big Sky Passenger Rail Authority (BSPRA) as the consortium of 12 counties pursue restoring passenger rail service across the “Southern Montana Route.” BSPRA convened for their April board meeting to deliberate several items of business which included a discussion amongst board members and rail enthusiasts who were deterred with a recently-released Amtrak study plan. Along with county representatives for the Rail Authority and public, representatives from the offices of Sen. Steve Daines and Sen. John Tester...
Rick Piscitello of Thompson Falls passed away at his home April 9, 2021. He was 77 years old. Rick was the former owner of the Falls Motel which he bought in 2002. Before moving to Thompson Falls he was the owner/operator of Rick's Lodge on the world famous Upper Fall River known for its clear water world class fly fishing. He owned it for 33 years. Rick was an avid fly fisherman who fished world wide. He also loved hunting. He was happiest teaching his sons to fish and hunt. Rick owned the...
Donald "Boog" C. Cannon, passed away peacefully March 28, 2021 at his home surrounded by his family after a long struggle with kidney failure. He is survived by the love of his life and wife of 25 years Rosa; his daughter Cheri Cannon; his sister Sharon (Bob); granddaughter Roseanna (Gage) Turner; two great grandsons; five stepchildren; many step grandchildren and step great-grandchildren; nephews Charlie and Curtis Cannon; niece Sharon Earthboy, and several great nieces and nephews. He is...
Clinton Paul Taylor went to rest the morning of April 19, 2021, at age 61. He is survived by his siblings Gayle, Nick (Janet), Bob (Mary), Kim, and Terry (Renee) Taylor. Clinton was born to Jim and Doris Taylor on July 15, 1959, in the family home in Thompson Falls, Montana. Aside from three months in Hawaii, Clinton chose to spend his life in his hometown. The same place where his father started a Chevrolet business that sprouted his love for all things cars. This love transitioned to him...
Quinn's Hot Springs Resort is giving employees a bonus as a way to encourage them to get vaccinated against COVID-19. The Paradise company is not requiring employees to get vaccinated, but General Manager Denise Moreth said their part to keep their staff, guests and community safe. "We want to help us all make it past this pandemic," Moreth said Monday. Quinn's employs 127 people and is offering a $500 bonus for any who receive their first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine by May 10. After May 10, the...
A PAIR OF SNOW GEESE enjoys the greenery at Ainsworth Park in Thompson Falls. A grand opening for the park, on which construction was completed late 2020, is scheduled for June 2021. More details will be published as available....
A new bookkeeping company has opened in Thompson Falls catering to small businesses, with a focus on nonprofit organizations. Owner Kayla Mosher officially launched Elk Ridge Bookkeeping Services the first of the year. Utilizing QuickBooks Online to handle financial aspects of her client's small businesses and nonprofits, Mosher says the versatility of being able to work online allows her to help anyone, anytime. "Pretty much everyone needs some form of bookkeeping," Mosher said. "For smaller...
Cancer Network of Sanders County (CNSC) is preparing for its spring fundraiser. Music for Mom will be held 7-9 p.m. Friday, May 7, at The Rex Theater in Thompson Falls. Instead of selling tickets, CNSC will accept donations at the door. The evening will feature six musical performances, including country singer Doug Grimm, the VonTraver Family Singers, Bob Sink on the fiddle, vocalist Mary Crouse, a duet by Tina and Theresa, and Keith Meyers and The Wester Sky Band. There will also be entertainment and games during the intermission. CNSC...
It was a long time ago since it was last held– two years to be exact – but the Thompson Falls Invitational track and field meet was back in business for 2021 at sun-splashed Previs Field last Thursday, and all four Sanders County schools (plus a few others from around western Montana) took advantage of the opportunity to compete. Joining the Hawks to compete on Previs Field on one of the best weather days yet this spring were athletes from Troy, Lincoln, Plains, Hot Springs, Arlee and St. Reg...
It was blooming softballs in Deer Lodge and the Blue Hawks came out smelling like roses. Coach Jared Koskela and his Hawks swept a Western B-C doubleheader 23-14 and 18-0 from the homestanding Wardens in Powell County Saturday. In other action last week, the Hawks dropped both games of a doubleheader to Florence in Thompson Falls Friday. Looking to gain momentum as the season winds up, the Hawks were to have played Mission-Arlee-Charlo in Mission Tuesday (results were not available) and are set...
