Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 1062 - 1086 of 1549
Dear Jo, I went to a local fair this past weekend. I am a 50 plus woman. I only mention this because “back in the day” I would be dancing my butt off at the fair. Back then, men asked women to dance; no one stood around like at a high school dance. What is happening? Are there some new rules I am not aware of? All the men just stood around looking at their feet, their beer, their buddies. Is it just me?! Signed, Frustrated Dancer Dear Dancer, Times are changing, that is for sure. I do not believe, however, that there is a new rule book on danci...
From an early age most of us have been taught to be aware of “stranger danger.” Much of this is due to safety, especially with the rise of sex trafficking. As parents we have discussed with our children extensively awareness and how to spot “stranger danger.” Although many of us share this concern, we should keep in mind a proper balance. It is a balance between caution and being overly afraid. Recently, I’ve enjoyed striking up the conversation of hospitality with my church family. The responses have been challenging and eye opening....
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Attempt to break down any barriers you have built up around yourself, Aries. It’s time for a fresh perspective and you can dive head first into new opportunities. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 There is something magical in you that needs to come to life, Taurus. In the next few weeks you will develop a plan to put major changes into action with the help of a few others. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may feel on top of the world at the beginning of the week and then out of sorts by the weekend. It is okay to go through a range of e...
I was introduced to music at a very young age. My mom is an accomplished organ and piano player, who has taught for years. She taught me to appreciate classical, instrumental, and more traditional music. My dad, the Metallica, Ted Nugent, and ZZ Top rocker introduced me to rock and roll. As we moved from state to state with the military, my music choices changed to "fit in" with my surroundings. My first concert was Garth Brooks with my mom. Then I moved on to an appreciation for a bit of rap (o...
Dear Editor, Are you ready for another rant? I’m sure I’m not the only one, but I’m getting tired of the disturbing fact that no one pays attention to signs anymore! I say ‘no one’, but I realize there are some who still do; the sad fact is, though, that more and more just pass them by without taking any notice. Signs do have an effect, don’t get me wrong, if nothing else, to post a warning, whether it’s the ‘recommended’ speed limit or when to merge with traffic, or what. In the past, I’ve patrolled a certain parking lot here in town becaus...
Dear Editor, Years ago, there was a battle about water meters, I remember it like it was yesterday. It helped to push me into the world of politics (damn it!) Lots of people were upset because water meters were being installed and they didn’t have a say. They didn’t know it was coming. I went to many council meetings arguing against the meters. Then one of the members told me I should check out the history of ‘meter meetings’. I found out that the meters had been discussed for more than 2 YEARS. I found out that notices about meters were se...
Dear Jo, What happened to dressing up to go out on the weekend? Why are we content to head out in our dirty work clothes, sweaty and straight from our jobs, skipping the clean up and fresh duds? I am as guilty as anyone! Signed, Comfortably Sloppy Dear Sloppy, Wait! Are you telling me that body odor and pajama bottoms as part of one’s evening attire is “sloppy?!” What about Crocs with sweatpants, Scooby Doo T-shirt and a baseball hat that looks like it has been through a stampede? People may not dress up like they used to, but we are freer...
I know that former generations handled hospitality better than we do. However, in the current television and internet era, Martha Stewart has become synonymous with hospitality and entertainment. She has built a business empire on delicious foods and hosting elegant events. What was it like 2000 years ago? Guests for banquets were seated in connection to their relationship with the host. The closer to the host, the better the seat. From Luke 14, follow along: “When he noticed how the guests picked the places of honor at the table, Jesus told th...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Try to dig a little deeper and not take things at face value this week, Aries. Some surprising elements that you may not initially recognize are just waiting to be discovered. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 It’s good to have a rich fantasy life to envision plans for the future, Taurus. Some of these ideas may come to fruition this week as you dig down deep into your creative side. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Avoid jumping to the conclusion that a romantic partner is looking to move on, Gemini. There may be another underlying factor at p...
My family has always been a bit theatrical. I blame my parents, living history interpreters who brought my brother and I up in rendezvous and reenactments. My mother played Mary Todd Lincoln watching “Our American Cousin” at a reenactment they began in Keokuk, IA. My father, playing John Wilkes Booth, appropriately broke his ankle after shooting Lincoln and jumping off a balcony onto the stage. Devotion to character development right there! In high school I found theatre on my own - at first playing bit parts and running the lights from bac...
Dear Editor, What is the difference between someone saying “I love you” and the popular phrase we all love to bandy around: “love you?” How about the one that comes to one’s lips even easier, “love ya?” One might note a fairly close correlation between this and the subject at hand: “Do we really care?” The answer, of course, is “Yes, yes, we DO care!” The extent to which we care, however, is the issue. The care which the majority of us exercise (if we care at all) might seem rather generic, if you think about it. In this part of the country,...
Dear Jo, I live in a small town (I know, duh). Well, I want to date, at least I think I do. The problem is, if I date someone local, everyone will know my business? Do I need to avoid this? Should I only date people out of town? Should I even care? Signed, Alone among friends Dear Alone, Honestly, I am surprised you think people will care that much about what you are up to. Unless you are dating someone truly unusual or straight out of the state penitentiary, you should be all set. Don’t do anything crazy or noteworthy and I think you can r...
Have you ever experienced losing your keys? Many of us have. We are usually in a hurry and heading out the door. Anxiety sets in fast. Often when we slow down, take a breath and retrace our steps, we find the illusive things. Sometimes those keys are lost into the abyss, never to be heard clanging again. In practice, many of us understand the value of forgiving others who hurt us but the actual process of forgiving can be alluding. When we encounter a wrong, frustration and anxiety get a tight grip on our heart, sometimes we get lost. So...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, feelings of nostalgia may come over you this week, prompting you to look at old family movies or thumb through photo albums. Enjoy this trip down Memory Lane. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 It is good to remain positive and keep an open mind, Taurus. Maintain your optimistic attitude and others will soon gravitate toward you. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Take heart that many people around you are experiencing extreme emotions this week, Gemini. Help them work through the situation and your efforts won’t go unnoticed. CANCER Jun 2...
Yowzers! Was that a Frontier Days or what? I don’t think I’ve ever seen so many people in Whitehall! The restaurants were booming, the vendors were busy, the kids were out in full force and I saw a smile on most everyone’s face. It was a great weekend and I saw the community really come together to make it all happen. My only regret is that I don’t have two or three (or twelve) clones of myself so that I could be everywhere I wanted to be. It just wasn’t possible. And because of this I wasn’t able to get all of the moments captured that I had...
Dear Editor, In Montana private land elk hunting is moving toward 11 weeks for people who can pay thousands of dollars for trophy bulls, while others are left to hunt cows in deep snows and bitter cold when they’re struggling to survive the winter. That’s the proposal of the Gianforte administration, one that extends “elk shoulder seasons” through Feb 15 annually, and onto your National Forest in 19 hunting districts. This proposal is ill conceived, premature and not in the interest of elk hunters, landowners and all Montanans who enjoy t...
Generosity goes beyond simply giving money; generosity permeates all areas of our lives. One area which we tend to forget in applying generosity is in our relationships, specifically forgiveness. Have you ever wrestled with an unforgiving attitude? If we are honest, we all fall short in this struggle. “Jesus said to his disciples: ‘Things that cause people to stumble are bound to come, but woe to anyone through whom they come. It would be better for them to be thrown into the sea with a millstone tied around their neck than to cause one of the...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you may have to tend to family matters this week. Seek input from trusted family members and work together to come to a solution that everyone can embrace. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, it can be difficult to know when to stop talking and start listening. It is a fine line to walk, but be patient and feel out the room before offering your input. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Things that appear to be confusing or intimidating may not be as complicated as they seem, Gemini. Keep doing your research and don’t be scared away. CANCE...
Are you a glass-half-empty kind of person? When someone pays you a compliment, you got everything on your list done for the day early, or finally accomplished something you’ve really been working hard for...do you focus on what’s next instead of taking a moment to appreciate what went well? If something just awful -- or even simply irritating -- happens, do you blame yourself? Do you extend it past the single event and onto the rest of your life? Perhaps a co-worker didn’t accept your invitation to go for a walk over lunch; or worse, she went o...
Dear Editor, I’m not going to name any names or go into any details, but once again, we have witnessed the lengths that some people will go to in order to soothe their own wounded ego. I’d like to think most people have a good reason for treating others the way they do. But really, there’s no excuse for bad behavior. As a human being, my first reaction is to name names, share the details of the situation with anyone who will listen, and get in someone’s face. Then I realize - that’s my own ego talking! I was talking to an old friend of mine at...
Dear Editor, I loved last week's column by Jo. (Jo is awesome!). She is absolutely right about picking up POO! I do think this attached poo bag and depository is the KEY! It is almost a for sure thing if someone sees this, they will grab a bag! Just a good thing to have in the parks in Whitehall. Sheridan Park in Sheridan has one and everyone I see, uses it. Sarah Smart Whitehall, Montana...
“There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus,” says Paul in Romans 8:1. We would agree with nary a dissenter among us. The dispute arises when someone asks, “What must I do to be ‘in Christ Jesus’?” Then there are hundreds of answers! Paul, writing to the church at Corinth, says some cardinal things. We will list a few and then reason to some conclusions. First, he exhorts “that there be no divisions among you” (1 Cor. 1:10). Next, he applies some things figuratively to himself an Apollos (4:6) for their sakes, that...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, an unexpected financial windfall that comes your way this week allows you to make some changes. You may move or upgrade your home or car. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 You are looking trendy and fabulous lately, Taurus. Others are taking notice, including your spouse, significant other or potential mates. Expect sparks to fly. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may be introduced to an artistic talent you never knew you had this week. Develop these skills by taking a class or fine-tuning your skills at home. CANCER Jun 22/Jul 22...
Dear Jo, I just moved to Montana, to the Whitehall area. There is a street dance this weekend for Frontier Days. My question is this….what do I wear? Do people dress up? Do they wear jeans, skirts, what?! I don’t want to look like a “rhinestone cowboy” and stand out like a sore thumb! I want to fit in! Signed, Fashionably Desperate Dear Fashionably, Welcome to Montana! Even more so, welcome to Whitehall! This is an easy one. You will see people in everything from summer dresses, boots and jeans to nightmares from that big store I will not name....
Are you ready for a good time?! I am! And let me tell you, Whitehall’s 2021 Frontier Days looks like it is going to be just that! Frontier Days, for me, began last week with me trying to get the paper out on time with a massive Frontier Days special section. What started off as a four page special section soon grew into a 12 page feature section! It is so great to see so many businesses working towards specials, events, and more at their locations during Frontier Days! The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce has put blood, sweat, and tears into t...
