Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Dear Editor, I am pleased to endorse Nancy Jane Lien for Montana House District 75. Nancy Jane was a Political Science honors student when I was a Professor at Montana State. She served as an intern at Montana's Constitutional Convention. I have followed Nancy's career in business and public service, and know her super powers are customer service and mediation, skills she will bring to representing all the people of Jefferson County. As a Montana farm girl Nancy understands the value of...
There are only 11 days a month where you can switch the day and month by mistake. You’re the most predictable person you know. You can make more people laugh with one comment online than you do your whole in-person life. Freedom is free. Taking someone else’s freedom requires energy and resources. Alphabet books never prepared me for how little quince I would encounter growing up. And unless your career is music-oriented, your window for xylophones probably ended in kindergarten. The “best movies of all time” discussions are usually dominat...
Has anyone had a chance to read the Republican Party platform? Its policies are mostly a collection of vague talking points out of touch with reality. Anyone who has read this document and is capable of analytical thought has probably come to a conclusion similar to mine: that this manifesto, as a whole, is an unmitigated disaster waiting to happen. What is distressing is not what it contains but what is missing. First, let me briefly critique a few issues mentioned in the platform. The platform has a lot of feel-good talking points on...
Georgia, I have a question, My boyfriend (25) won’t let me (20) get face tattoos. I don’t want a big face tattoo, just a half mandala on my temple or a little heart below my eye or something. I don’t think it’s a big deal, but he says he “can’t bring a girlfriend with face tattoos to work events." He’s in law school and going to be a lawyer. I’m a hairstylist, and it’s 2024, and I don’t think anyone cares about tattoos anymore. I feel like it’s my body and my choice, but he said I won't do it if I like waking up next to him. It IS a face tat...
When we take the time to read AND understand the Bible, the implications of Christ’s teachings are powerful, turning cultural barriers upside down. The first-century community was deeply immersed in staunch traditions and religious jargon, portions of this ideology Jesus challenged with simplicity. In Luke 8 we read one of many parables that Jesus utilized to communicate a simple message, most know this as the parable of the Sower. I would point out that this could be better understood as the parable of the Soil. “While a large crowd was gat...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are quick to spend money lately, and that can prove problematic in the long run. It may be a good idea to sit down with a financial planner and sort out spending and saving habits. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, this week you have free rein to follow your intuition and express your emotions to those around you. It’s beneficial to get in touch with how you are feeling and explore things further. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 There is some unfinished business you need to clear up before you can fully focus on the week or...
As a founding member of both Gold Junction Presents (a Whitehall non-profit that now operates the Star Theatre) and We Are HER (a Whitehall non-profit that helps survivors of domestic violence and sexual assault), my two non-profit worlds collided with the showing of It Ends With Us this past weekend. Having heard from teens who had read Colleen Hoover’s book, which the movie is based on, I was very torn about this movie. I had heard that the guy who hit her “was so hot” in the books and such a bad boy they’d “let” him do that. I worried tha...
If alcohol were discovered today, it would be made an illegal substance. No matter how accurate a historical drama is, it will always be ruined by a perfect Hollywood smile. When was the last time you blinked in a dream? Most superheroes couldn’t eat fast enough to maintain their caloric needs. Sub-par golf is a good thing. The best time to correct someone for mispronouncing your name is the first time; the next best time is never. The easier it became to make ice, the faster the polar ice caps started to melt. Since it happened 23 years a...
Dearest Editor, It has come to my attention that a recent letter caused quite a stir with some of your readers. I was unaware of said letter until I kept receiving comments, good and bad, about the subject matter. I, Miss Katherine Carey Smith, am not Mrs. Kathryn "Katie" Smith. Just to clear that up for folks. Some may know both of us, some may know only me and not her and visa versa. We have been mistaken for each other in the past on multiple occasions. The statements made in that letter...
Dear Editor - this letter is directed to Tim Sheehy. Mr. Sheehy: One of your ads, which promotes demonstrably false and dangerous misinformation on Social Security, is airing on Montana television. The ad, paid for by the Tim Sheehy Campaign for U.S. Senate, features Nora Fouhy of Billings, and misrepresents the truth about Social Security, using terms like raids and cuts. Big Sky 55+ respectfully calls on you to immediately cease and desist airing this dangerous misinformation. Thousands of...
Georgia, I have a question, My spouse and I frequently host meals of 10-20 guests, personally and professionally. We debate whether to put spoons at meals at which we are not serving soup. My spouse contends that spoons may be used for things other than soup (e.g., spreads or consuming remnants of thin sauces). I prefer not to set out spoons to save on the volume of washing or waste (if using disposables, although we have switched to compostables) We have agreed to abide by your determination as to the proper etiquette: spoons at every meal,...
In last week’s column, I presented or reiterated a core principle of being a Christian, self-denial. Jesus embodied this to the greatest degree and if we are to follow Him, we learn to practice the discipline of self-sacrifice daily. As humans, we are born into a world that is driven by self-interest. The first stages of our life are predominantly “dependent.” This means that as infants, we require complete dependency on others, and parents and caregivers give endlessly day and night. Self-interest fades in various ways as we age; in time,...
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 It’s easy to lose perspective regarding the important friends and family in your life, Aries. Start rethinking where to devote your attention and energy. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, if you feel adventure is calling you, you can always take a break, get out there, and answer that call. Take a road trip this week or even explore a nearby neighborhood. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, be sure to get off to an early start regarding plans this week. Let others involved know that you’ll probably be picking them up bright and ea...
Dear Editor, 50 reasons Donald Trump isn't fit to be President: #1 Back in 2016, Donald Trump targeted and mocked a disabled reporter in a vicious political campaign speech: Don't believe it? Watch here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX9reO3QnUA. #2 - #50 aren't necessary. Anyone who openly mocks the disadvantaged and contributes to the hateful behavior affecting our communities is a NO for me. JASON SALVAGNI Whitehall, Montana...
Dear Editor, Montana Democrats bring real solutions to lower property taxes. This week, I read the recommendations from the Governor's Property Tax Task Force with great interest. The Republican failure on property taxes has been well-documented. Last legislative session they had everything they needed to fix property taxes for regular Montanans - including the revenue to pay for it - but they did what they always do and gave more tax breaks to wealthy folks who don't need them. Montanans are...
There are probably a ton of people entirely willing to murder people but don’t because they don’t think they can do it without getting caught. If we ever defeat global warming, the denialists will never be proven wrong. Maybe we should start fighting for a lower maximum wage. Raygun is the most famous breakdancer of our time. The average woman sees more blood matter in her lifetime than the average man. In 257 B.C., Eratosthenes used trained walkers to measure the distance between two cities. Two thousand years later, Google Maps is doing the...
“The Divine Knowledge has ebbed out of us, and we do not know enough to be free.” - Daniel Webster Have you noticed? When the election season rolls around, nobody talks about freedom anymore. Sure, that word is sometimes still dropped into campaign speeches, sprinkled like salt over a bland plate of political platitudes. But freedom is never the primary subject, let alone the goal of modern political messaging. It’s just a rhetorical enhancement that leaves the scene as quickly as it arrived. Why do you suppose that is? What does that tell...
I last talked about my reunion with a college classmate from sixty years ago. I’ve kept in touch with several others, including a couple from grade school, through all these years and the many changes we have each been through. I was just reading an interesting article about the current state of life expectancy and found I am nearly two years past my expiration date. Statistically, the average American male in my pre-Baby Boomer class will last 77 years and five months. The ladies, generally mor...
Georgia, I have a question, I (30M) recently ran into my ex-wife’s sister (28F) at a grocery store. After some small talk and catching up, she asked me out on a date and I’m not sure how I feel about it. My ex and I divorced amicably and she moved away. I did as well for a time, but I ended up coming back home last year. I had no idea what my ex was doing and didn’t really care. My ex’s sister filled me in that she is engaged and happy, which I was actually happy to hear. When my ex’s sister asked me if I would like to have a drink with her som...
For the entirety of the summer, I’ve been exploring two of pastor and author Kyle Idleman’s teaching series with many great friends. As we go through life learning what it entails to be a Christian the Bible emphasizes perseverance and the development of a “never quit” attitude. As a pastor, my goal is to create and cultivate disciples of Jesus, not to produce posh parishioners. Jesus exemplified what it means to be self-sacrificial, and if we are to be Biblically guided, we too will “take up our cross daily” (Matthew 16:24) and practice de...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 You are the master of leaping before looking, Aries, and this week is no different. You are not satisfied with hanging back and assessing the situation before acting. You are right in the mix. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, do not pretend to be a neutral party when two people come up to you seeking advice. You are too loyal to avoid taking sides, but it could affect the relationship with the other person. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, it may be time to step in and help a loved one refocus their energies. Work to offer them a ne...
Most would be hopeless on a battlefield, considering video games and movies have conditioned us to expect the enemy to be terrible at aiming. The best-behaved child is often not the parent’s favorite. If Disney can’t be sued by customers who have used Disney+, it has no financial incentive to keep its park rides safe. Parking your car directly in front of someone else’s house when you have your own driveway is like a guy who chooses the urinal right next to you when other open urinals are available; it’s not against the rules, but you’ll...
Dear Editor, In my experience, the best of the best are the people who are confident enough to share what they have learned to help others improve. This is a shout-out for Whitehall High School Junior Zane Downey - who has won national recognition showing cattle, sheep, goats, and pigs all over the country – and who (as he does throughout the year) once again took the time last week to help kids in Whitehall and Harrison 4-H Clubs and FFA Chapters to shine at the Madison/Jefferson County F...
Marla Runyan is an American athlete and former Olympian distance runner; her life story is remarkable. She was the first legally blind athlete to compete in the Olympics, placing 8th in the 2000 1500m Sydney Games. However, her physical impairment didn’t stop her from reaching goals or pursuing a dream. Her self-described running strategy was to be “Focused on the blob of bodies ahead of her, to try and get in front of the blob.” Most of us are fortunate to have most of our faculties; in fact, you’re reading this article and are not blind....
ARIES - Mar 21/Apr 20 You may have renewed energy and motivation right now, Aries. Capitalize on that to tackle a laundry list of projects on the back burner. TAURUS - Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, your sense of humor and quirky personality could get you a few extra chuckles from friends this week, but try not to take it too far—factor in time for serious pursuits. GEMINI - May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, when focusing on your health this week, remember that stress reduction is important to getting healthy. Aim for activities that focus on relaxation. CANCER -...
