Independently owned since 1905
Independently owned since 1905
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As the mornings get cooler and preparations continue for the Sanders County Fair, parents, kids and teachers are getting ready to head back to school. We’re excited for the return of the routine, but just not quite ready for summer to be over. For those heading into kindergarten, we know it’s a scary transition. But think of all the new friends you’ll make and oh, the places you’ll go, to quote Dr. Seuss. As those high school seniors walk the halls for their final year, don’t forget to stop and enjoy your last few months of “kid life.” Grow...
The word “socialism” is getting tossed around a lot these days without much thought for what it actually means. It seems to fall either into the category of very good things or the category of very bad things. On the left it seems to be seen as a panacea for curing all things bad in America, and on the right as something to fear and close to treasonous. The truth — as always — is elusive. Here’s a definition from an online dictionary: “…a political and economic theory of social organization...
In journalism school, every students has to take an ethics course. You don’t get that with every area of study. Projessional journalists hold themselves accountable to their readers, and do their best to be objective and truthful. The founding fathers felt freedom of the press important enough to put it in the First Amendment of the U.S. Constitution. The media is the eyes and ears for the community. We’re there for city council meetings, high school football games and elections. We do our best to keep our audience informed and present both sid...
We’ve spent the last few weeks in our favorite huckleberry picking spots. It’s been a great year up in the mountains, and it always makes us a little sad when the huckleberry season is about over. We tend to take advantage of the fact that most years we’ll have plenty of huckleberries to make milkshakes and pancakes throughout the year. And we always look forward to Trout Creek’s annual celebration of all things huckleberry. It’s interesting, though, when you talk to people not from our area who (gasp) have never tried huckleberries or who ha...
As November elections loom in America different forces are at work in both major political parties to find a theme common to the political compartmentalization of their respective constituencies. With the forces of Trump loyalists against traditional conservative Republicans the establishment Republicans seem to be losing the ability to control their own party. The Democrats, thankfully, do not have that worry because they seem to never have been in control of their party in the first place....
A lot goes into planning events such as the Big Sky Blues Festival, Plains Day, or the Huckleberry Festival. Debb McNary, chairperson of Trout Creek’s Huckleberry Festival, said the committee plans for 10 months to make each year great. McNary is also on the Trout Creek Community Improvement Association, and gives hundreds of hours a year to these organizations. Volunteers keep our communities thriving, and work countless hours to put on top-notch events that drive local tourism and boost the local economy. Using the Huckleberry Festival as a...
This week, Olympic swimmer Ryan Lochte was banned from competition for more than a year after an investagtion by the U.S. Anti-Doping Agency. A photo on social media showed Lochte getting an injection of vitamins. The substance Lochte was taking wasn’t illegal, but the amount was. At a press conference Monday, Lochte accepted a 14-month suspension and took responsibility for the incident . “As soon as you get to a certain point or level, in any kind of sport career, you’re always going to have an eye on you,” Lochte said. “I think I’ve lear...
As I think of America’s current political impasse(es) there are two quotes that come to mind. Charley Russell wrote a story about a teamster who harnessed up his mules, then picked up a two-by-four and whacked the lead mule in the head. “First, you’ve got to get the mule’s attention,” he explained to a startled bystander. And the other expression my very own mother’s, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” “Power concedes nothing without a demand,” wrote former slave and abolition...
This month, our small communities have come together to honor veterans, celebrate the U.S., and have a little fun. Each year, Noxon puts on a fantastic fireworks show and parade. Not to mention the awesomeness that comes from watching kids trying to herd their reptiles in the turtle races. In Plains, athletes will gather later this month for a large co-ed softball tournament. And earlier this summer, Plains Day brought out not just the locals, but people from around the region. Thompson Falls used to have a Fourth of July parade, and the...
“The rise of corporate dominance and the theft of human rights.” That grabs your attention, right? It is the subject of the book Unequal Protection — How Corporations Became People, and How You Can Fight Back by Thom Hartmann, and not a new subject by any means. There have always been a few wealthy, aggressive people who seem to want to exercise control over the general population. Before our modern industrial age, it was a feudal system of kings, queens and divine rights. Thomas Jefferson fought hard to include the phrase “freedom from mo...
Last month, women in Saudi Arabia took to the streets when the country ended its ban on women drivers. In the era of #MeToo, it’s easy to forget how far women have come in the United States, and how many freedoms all Americans have. We take for granted that we get to live in a country where women have the right to vote, drive, own businesses and property, and live independently. Saudi Arabia is just now giving women the right to drive. But in some countries, women are still forced into arranged marriages, have limited access to education, a...
Now is a good time — a very important time — for Americans to remember the saga of “Tail Gunner Joe.” Only Joe was never a tail gunner who flew numerous combat missions in World War II — he made up that story all by himself. He was a desk jockey. He was, however, a United States Senator from Wisconsin, and as such (and being a bully and a liar) ruined the lives of thousands of Americans in a reign of political and psychological terror that lasted five years, 1950 to 1954. Senator Joseph Mc...
In all, America has celebrated 242 Independence Days. After all this time, you would think we had all the details ironed out. Did you know that the 4th of July is not the actual day that America gained independence from Great Britain? According to historians at George Mason University, the actual day was July 2, 1776. “This day the Continental Congress declared the United Colonies Free and Independent States,” printed the Pennsylvania Evening Post, on July 2, 1776 announcing that American freedom had been attained. July 4 was actually the day...
“It’s hit and miss ‘round these parts.” That should be the disclaimer given to outside musicians looking to book a gig in this county. The Rex Theatre in Thompson Falls has seen acts with standing room only and standing ovations, when organizers weren’t sure they could make enough to pay the act – only to have the performer return to less-than-mediocre attendance. It has also seen a nearly empty theater for acts that would have appealed to the majority of the county. When guitarist Mike Beck played the Rex last weekend and recounted h...
The proposed Republican budget for 2019 is being formulated and there are some serious cuts that should disturb many Americans. Slowly but surely those government programs that help people in very real ways are being decimated by Republicans running the country: Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security. Make no mistake about my feelings. I know that they have every right to do this; it is a part of their philosophy, it has been their stated objective for years, and they are in charge. They have...
Sanders County is home to many treasures. Not only is the area beautiful, but so are the residents. Perhaps it is because the locals have a certain respect for how things operate in these parts, and respect the old west “rules of etiquette.” As tourist season is upon us, we tend to notice how the rest of the world behaves. If you are a tourist to the area, here are a few tips as you mingle amongst the locals. Although the county is home to 1,733,000 acres, it seems that there are places where you just cannot get away from others. Please rem...
Community Decay is defined as a public nuisance created by allowing rubble, debris, junk or refuse, including junk vehicles, boats, RVs, trailers or other machinery in non-working condition, or refuse, to accumulate, resulting in conditions that are injurious to health, offensive to the senses, or which obstruct the free use of property so as to interfere with the comfortable enjoyment of life or the values of property (Thompson Falls Ordinance 327). The ordinance also states “no person shall be allowed to let stand a structure found to be in s...
We have Veteran’s Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day and Armed Forces Day. There are many holidays that recognize those who have served our country. We honor them, we display flags, we light fireworks, we have a cookout with family and friends. Every once in awhile, we stop the fanfare and think about the sacrifices of our service men and women. We read about the struggles of the military and veterans often. Struggles abroad as they serve, and when they come back home. Recently, we watched the Amazon film Last Flag Flying, in which three V...
Remember that quaint little notion called usury? If you’ve ever borrowed money or used a credit card you might want to refresh your memory. Basically, usury is the practice of charging interest on a loan, but over the centuries the meaning morphed to charging excessive interest on a loan. People actually used to worry about stuff like that. Of course, the concept of “excessive” might vary, but originally excessive was defined as anything above zero. That’s going back a while, maybe 3000 years....
Last month, the Thompson Falls City Council voted to increase water and sewer rates. It’s not ideal for residents and businesses. It’s a hassle any time costs go up, especially for those on a fixed income. But an increase in water and sewer rates was inevitable. The city’s costs are rising, especially with having to replace aging water lines. Residents make a choice to live in the city, and in turn put their trust in the mayor and city council to make the best decisions for the city. The rate increases are not good on the surface, but it remind...
Water. We have some of the finest water in the world here in our neighborhood. I for one am thankful. Don’t get me wrong. I like beer, too. But you just can’t beat a good clear glass of water. Most of our water comes off our public lands. Public lands ultimately controlled by the people, or by the people elected by the people. Somebody has to do it. I recently ran across a 4-year-old article in the Forest Service Publication Wildlife News. Written by Ralph Maughan, titled “A Brief History of the Public Lands, the BLM, and grazing.” It is very...
Memorial Day and graduation are over. School will be out soon. As you’re dusting off your water skis and lawn chair, it’s time to start thinking about the next big event — election season. The primary election is Tuesday, June 5. If you’re scrambling to turn in your ballot, there may be questions about the candidates. We’re all guilty of not taking the time to research candidates or issues, or of just picking a name we recognize and filling in that bubble. Or of simply voting for an incumbent. Sometimes we spend more time in the shampoo aisle p...
Last week I visited the site of the Battle of Rosebud Creek on the Crow Reservation in Big Horn County and was reminded of the role that Native Americans have played in the U.S. military. Perhaps that seems a strange statement considering that they also had, perhaps, a more significant role fighting against the United States military, but since the Revolutionary War Native Americans have also fought with distinction for the U.S. General George Crook, in command at the Rosebud, was unusual for...
It’s been many moons since most of us at The Sanders County Ledger graduated high school, but the lessons learned still resonate. Fun fact: half of our staff graduated from Thompson Falls High School. As young adults across the county prepare to graduate on Sunday, we have a little advice for the seniors. “Everything is going to be OK in the end. If it’s not OK, it’s not the end.” — Sara Czerwinski “Always do your best and give 100 percent.” — Shana Neesvig “The world doesn’t owe you anything. You have to go out there and make your own way. Le...
At Monday’s Thompson Falls City Council meeting, the Sanders County Dog Training Club (SCDTC) approached the council about expanding the dog park near the community center on Golf Street. The council unanimously supported the idea., suggesting SCDTC expand the dog park even more if funding is available. SCDTC has had a great relationship with the city. Volunteers are always working to make the park better. The area is clean and well maintained. More importantly, it’s rare that you don’t see the park being used. Not only does the SCDTC hold...
