Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 1287 - 1311 of 1557
A few years back when video stores were still a mainstay, I used to rent five or six movies a week. Sometimes when the weather was bad, or I was in a lazy mood I would spend my entire weekend watching a variety of films in a variety of genres. These days I still watch a movie here and there but I'm no longer a movie buff who could tell you the director of each film I'm watching as well as other movies they've directed. These days I've found the joy of binge watching a television show and it is...
With the start of the school year approaching I started to rack my brain about some first day memories but there was not really anything that stood out. I think perhaps the biggest moment I remember is how my love for the first day changed as I aged. When I was a younger kid, I could not wait to get out the door. Counting down the days till I could see my friends and catch up at recess was an exciting time. This would change abruptly once I reached junior high. Instead of counting down the days...
Late July in Whitehall has become synonymous with the annual Frontier Days celebration. It is not only a chance for local residents to come together but also serves as an opportunity to bring former residents and those from surrounding areas into the town. With the completion of another event, organizers are seeking input from those who attended. The survey is not only a way to see what events were popular but as a way to receive feedback constructive criticism on what people would like to see c...
With the heavy moisture early in the summer I really haven't had to worry too much about watering my grass. While it certainly hasn't needed much additional water, it sure has not had any problems growing. In fact, my lawn has probably grown a half inch since I left the house thing morning. I certainly have no issue with mowing the lawn, it's some nice exercise outside, but my mower broke so I have somebody come out every two weeks to take care of the grass. I should probably buy a new one, but...
A few years ago, I was covering a Class B State Track meet in Butte and it was a typical Montana spring day that featured just about all four seasons. When I left the house in the morning it was frigid and appeared it might snow at any minute. This really isn't unusual so despite the fact it was near the end of May I put on a heavy sweatshirt and beanie and made the trip over Homestake Pass. Shortly after arriving the weather slowly started to improve and by noon it felt like this was a...
A few of my summer breaks during college I was lucky enough to get a really good construction job that really helped me with my expenses. I also had a few summers where it was very difficult to find a job that didn't involve fast food. While I wouldn't really say I loved being outside 12 hours a day with a jackhammer or shovel, the money in construction was great and I had one heck of a tan. When I turned 15 my first job was at a Wendy's and I'm still baffled how easy it was to get the job. I...
Ten years ago, I probably would have had plenty of crazy adventures to talk about in my weekly column. A night out with a pack of friends to a bar or a trip to Vegas would usually result in some sort of shenanigans. The older I get; I'm finding more and more of my stories are taking place at the grocery store. What was once only a necessity can often be a highlight of the day, especially when it is a small-town store. The last time I went to Wal-Mart was on a Friday afternoon in June to grab a...
It's a little over a week away from Frontier Days, the biggest celebration of the year in the Whitehall area. Since the 2018 event, chamber and other volunteers have been working extremely hard in anticipation of 2019 and this year once again has a little something for everyone. A huge event like Frontier Days is not a success without the numerous people working hard behind the scenes. From the Jefferson Valley Fire Arts Show to the parade, the many events at Frontier Days cannot happen without...
I'm really glad I didn't have a cell phone as a kid. I could certainly say that I would have not used it as much as kids do today, but that's probably not the case. Adults these days say they would have never been glued to a phone, but look around anywhere today, many of these same people are glued to a screen. Why would it be any different at a younger age? Perhaps the biggest advantage my generation and many others had was that we didn't have the choice. In fact, I'm very happy we didn't have...
The 4th of July is always a great time for friends and family to come together to celebrate one amazing Country. It also means the Interstate and Highways are jam packed with people. The increase in traffic means that gas stations and truck stops always seemed to be jam packed throughout the day. I’m not sure where people are going but they always seem to be trying to get gas the same time I want to. As has been the case the past several weeks, when I went to the gas station on July 5 there w...
When I was a little kid, I was a borderline obsessive fan of professional wrestling. It wasn't today's era where I could catch a program or one of the many easily accessible pay per view events, instead I had to wait to watch my favorites like Sting on the weekend on the NWA show on TBS or sneak out of bed to watch the WWF's "Saturday Night's Main Event" that seemed to air after midnight and would always include several really big matches. I would spend multiple hours wrestling and practicing mo...
I'm not sure if I had to choose, I could pick a favorite sport between football and basketball but would easily admit that the NCAA basketball tournament is my favorite sporting event of the year. I also really enjoy covering high school basketball during the postseason and even though it seems to last about five months I also spend a lot of time following the NBA playoffs. I spent a lot of time watching the playoffs this year and the NBA Finals were a very interesting affair with the Toronto...
While I much rather watch a basketball or football game, whenever the United States soccer team is playing in a World Cup, I pay attention. I don't know much about soccer, don't like it enough to call it football, but do love cheering on my country and anything where the best in the world are doing it is usually pretty exciting. I guess I probably wouldn't watch cricket, but I at least know that in soccer you want put it in a goal. I seriously have no idea what is going on with cricket. While I...
When Oliver Lucas created the first vehicle horn in the 1910 it was a much-needed invention that is still as relevant today. It has also become a major pain in the back side. Rather than just use it for what is intended, the horn has become as source of communication for people and it is beyond annoying. People really need to tone it down with honking. The other day we were driving home in a 35 mile per hour zone by a school. Despite the fact we were going nearly 10 miles under the speed limit s...
Over the past weeks kids from across the area were able to wrap up the school year with their annual spring field trips. I was able to read online about what seemed to be some pretty amazing trips and the kids really seemed to be happy about where they were going. It's really great local schools plan these trips for the kids. After a long year in the classroom it is always nice for them to get out and have a little fun. Looking back on my time in school I certainly had quite a few end of the...
When I was in seventh grade it was a very normal routine to go to the high school for every home football game. I'm sure there was some cheering going on for the Tigers, but it really was more about socializing. The first year of junior high was a very awkward time and I remember trying so hard to fit in and the social aspects of the Friday Night Lights were certainly important. I really don't remember any of the actual football games, but I do remember an event that has stuck in my mind since....
About three minutes ago I was abruptly woken up by a semi driving way too fast in a 25 mile per hour zone. I'm writing this on May 15 which just so happens to be my birthday so I decided I would take a quick post lunch nap. Wednesday mornings are a little hectic and when I finished updating two websites and completing the calendars for the newspapers, I decided to reward myself. While I certainly wasn't happy with the way the nap ended, I was however pleased it happened because it cut it to...
In the last few issues of the Whitehall Ledger, Jefferson County Commissioner has done an exemplary job discussing economic development and ongoing projects in his "State of the County" articles. I'm very thankful to Commissioner Wortman for taking time to give Ledger readers a thorough look at various issues. In the articles he has mentioned several economic development opportunities and also addressed the issue during a meeting in Whitehall in late April. Wortman was on hand for discussion...
Throughout the years I've moved around quite a bit and had a lot of different neighbors. Some of them have become friends, some of them barely said a word, there were plenty that were mean, and have made for some very interesting stories. The one thing they all had in common from the oddities of my college next door neighbor Bodan to the way Larry Hall used to mow his lawn about 15 times a week is the fact they were very much human. This isn't quite the case anymore. Right off of my backyard...
As I type this article, I'm still in the process of moving which as I have said before in my weekly column is one thing, I do not enjoy doing at all. Later this afternoon will be the absolute worst part because it is time to move all the big stuff like couches and beds, but I'm trying my hardest to stay positive and realize that it will soon be done. One of the things I like best about the new house is that the kitchen is about twice the size of the last one and that brings a huge smile to my...
I'm not sure of how old I was, but I remember as a kid spending a great deal of time with my Uncle Howie. It was always a lot of fun until he brought out his records. I've always been a huge fan of music, but as a younger child I was very frightened of his vinyl collection because his KISS records scared the living crap out of me. I'm not sure exactly what it was, but something about those guys dressed up in their make-up made me want to cry and would keep me up late at night hoping they... Full story
With a winter that won't seem to stop, I haven't been this is excited for summer in a really long time. Although I'm moving in a few days, I'm not getting too depressed about everything that goes along with packing up everything and taking it somewhere else and instead am looking forward to sitting in the back yard and enjoying the wonderful weather. I can't wait to fire up the grill and cook outside several days a week. This is probably the first time I've been this excited about the onset of...
The other day I was at the grocery store searching for some chipotle peppers in adobo sauce when I overheard two ladies having a conversation. They had not seen each other in quite some time and were very happy to see each other and exchange pleasantries with a few questions about how things were going. I could tell at a point in time they were very close as they both asked about their spouses, kids, and jobs. At the end of the conversation, they both said they really needed to get ahold of...
The past couple of years I've spent a great deal of time with a beard. Every so often I would let it get a little too long and perhaps look more like a Grizzly Adams than a newspaper guy. It is just really convenient to have a beard. I don't have to worry about shaving in the morning and it means more time in my warm bed. I know there are a lot of morning people out there in the world, but I am not one of them. I literally time my morning routine so I can get in the shower, pet the cats, and...
In late March, Barrick Gold officials announced a final mill run has been scheduled for May at the Golden Sunlight Mine in Whitehall. This was certainly tough news to take for the community. The Golden Sunlight Mine has been such an important part of the local economy. The tax revenue generated by the mine as well as jobs created have been a huge asset to Whitehall and the surrounding area. The mine has also time and time again played a huge role in making the Whitehall area a better place to...
