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  • Horoscopes: Week of 8/31/2022

    Aug 31, 2022

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Listen to the people around you as well as your inner voice this week, Aries. With all the information at hand, you can make some difficult decisions with confidence. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, it may prove challenging to figure out where inspiration will come from next. Rather than seeking it out, wait for things to unfold more organically. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, do not be afraid to think outside the box this week. The stars are spurring you in a particular direction that could influence various components of your...

  • Connecting Point: Is Hell Real?

    BILL LANES|Aug 24, 2022

    Often, controversial topics scare us. But just because a matter is uncomfortable, sometimes it’s an unintended consequence for clergy when they are motivated by caring, caring that includes caring for people. So, Jesus spoke about Hell even more than Heaven. Christ is quoted 70 times in context with Hell. Take heed. In the case of my profession, my heart gets closer to the sleeve than in almost all other professions. I have been at the pulpit for thirty years now. I throw misunderstandings and misconceptions to both the profession and my h...

  • Not Ready For This School Year

    ELIZABETH PULLMAN, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 24, 2022

    It's the cliche statement we hear every year. Summer went by too fast. Whitehall School starts today and summer is over. I've always enjoyed the start of a new school year. My son gets a haircut, he dresses up in his new school clothes, and school spirit is at its highest - at least for the first few days. But this year, I can't. I'm not ready. I blinked and I missed it. This year my son is a senior. What happened? This past Sunday I took him to have his senior photo consultation. He expressed...

  • Up In Arms About Something Normal

    ELIZABETH PULLMAN, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 17, 2022

    The internet is all abuzz about a recent video showing Chef Gordon Ramsay saying it's "oven time" and "yummy yum" to a lamb he's selected to eat. Why is this so funny, to me at least? Because of its timing, as we finish the Madison County Fair and move on to the Jefferson County Fair. Each year hundreds of 4H club members select, raise, and then sell their animals - with most buyers intending to slaughter and eat them. Bidders come from far and wide to see whose animal will weigh the most and...

  • Dear Editor: Pandemic a Blessing in Disguise?

    CHARLES HADDON SHANK|Aug 17, 2022

    Dear Editor, These are just a few thoughts running through my head for a couple of years now. What if the recent so-called pandemic (some say Plandemic) has been a blessing in disguise?! Now, whether one believes there’s anything to all these conspiracy theories floating around or not, one must admit though it has been quite painful, much if not all of what has been revealed in the past years is eye-opening. And that is, to say the least! When this pandemic hit our shores back in early 2020, after spreading waves of terror around the world, d...

  • Thought Provokers 8/17/2022

    Aug 17, 2022

    There are lots of people that don’t get any compliments because everyone already thinks they get complimented. A lot of people have stung their eyes from opening them underwater after seeing people on TV do it flawlessly. The crust is bread armor. The more sleep-deprived you get the more dreamlike everything becomes. Rule breakers, anarchists, eccentrics, nonconformists, selfish people, and megalomaniacs; whether we like it or not, they drive society forward and ensure we continue to evolve and survive. Before TikTok and Instagram, it was f...

  • Go Ask Jo: 8/17/2022

    Jo|Aug 17, 2022

    Dear Jo, I was just daydreaming and thinking a lot today. I was thinking about how crazy it is that a person has walked on the moon and on Mars. Do you think a person will ever walk on the sun? I know it’s really hot but I am thinking if they went in the wintertime when the sun is only like 30 degrees they could probably do it. What do you think? Sunny Daydreamin’ Dear Sunny, Hmmmmmmm...maybe we need to revisit our basic knowledge of science and the universe. While life on Earth would not exist without our huge hot glowing ball of gas, lif...

  • Connecting Point: A Free Gift

    BILL LANES|Aug 17, 2022

    Some echo the words “There is nothing free in life” The pessimist opines, “In one way or another there’s some sort of catch.” Sadly some relationships are founded on play for play or a hard fast IOU. Power and greed infect our lives way too easily. Here’s some refreshing news: the Bible teaches us there is a far better way. In a world enamored with self-centeredness, God’s kingdom is quite opposite. God offers each of us a free gift. Jesus through an act of selfless love paid the price for our sin. This grace is offered to any person, no ma...

  • Thought Provokers: 8/10/2022

    Aug 10, 2022

    To pretend like we are yelling, we make our voices quieter. The best and worst part about the internet: it’s pretty easy to find people who act and think as you do. There are two types of people: those who stop the microwave with 1 second left, and those who let it beep. Someday, a murder suspect will use their presence in Google Street View as an alibi. You don’t have to be a great pilot to be a kamikaze pilot. You just have to get to your destination. Bumping the price up to $1.25 completely ruins the Dollar Stores' business ideology. Whe...

  • Murder (and fun) at Gunslinger Gulch

    ELIZABETH PULLMAN, Whitehall Ledger|Aug 10, 2022

    This weekend three of my ladies and I went to Gunslinger Gulch in Anaconda and participated in a murder mystery game, along with 23 other individuals. This 52-acre ghost town brought us all the fun this past weekend and I just wanted to let others know about it! Gunslinger Gulch is one of those Montana places you hear about but don't really take notice of until you're there. Did Google Maps get us there on the first try? Definitely no! Did we dress up? Of course! Did we guess the correct...

  • Connecting Point: All Things New

    BILL LANES|Aug 10, 2022

    Who doesn’t like new things? I recall the day we brought home our first family puppy, Oreo. The kids grew more ecstatic with each new day in the beginning. They made promises of how they would care for her, including pooper scooper patrol, feeding times, walks, etc. In a short amount of time, the grandeur of the new puppy faded. Any guesses of who primarily cared for Oreo? Now that three of the four kids are out of the home, Oreo is still a big part of our daily routine. My wife, Oreo, and I stroll around the neighborhood almost every m...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 8/10/2022

    Aug 10, 2022

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, your energy levels are elevated this week and that’s just the start of the positive energy floating around you. Harness your energy and use it to complete a project. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 A quiet week is ahead, which is the perfect opportunity to sort through your feelings and thoughts, Taurus. Not every day has to be a “get up and go” adventure. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you will have plenty of time to meet new friends and acquaintances this week, whether in-person or online. Networking is an important skill...

  • Go Ask Jo: 8/10/2022

    Jo|Aug 10, 2022

    Dear Jo, I was brought up in a fairly strict household, but ever since I moved out of my father’s house, I have progressively gotten better! The further I distance myself from said household, both geographically and spiritually, the more my status as the black sheep of the family appeals to me. I don’t mean to completely cut off any part of my family, but is it wrong to enjoy the hell out of my chosen identity?! The Black One Dear Black Sheep, Listen to your inner wooly voice! You know what is right and what is baaaaaad for yourself! Sig...

  • Dear Editor: Move by the GOP Unconscionable

    JASON SALVAGNI|Aug 3, 2022

    Dear Editor, I’m used to hypocrisy, but this move by the GOP was unconscionable. On July 27th, Steve Daines joined 40 of his Republican Senate colleagues and voted against the PACT Act, a pro-vet bill that had already passed the House. The next time our California-born junior Senator bloviates about supporting Montana vets, please remember how Steve Daines (R) just betrayed those same sick and dying veterans; seemingly all for a political stunt. Supporting our veterans should NOT be a divisive issue. If, like me, you’re wondering why Steve pul...

  • Dear Editor: Regarding Paul Cartwright's Opinion Piece

    TERRY MURPHY|Aug 3, 2022

    Dear Editor, Regarding the Opinion piece by Paul Cartwright, I would beg to differ. I served in the Montana State Senate with Matt Rosendale. While Matt and I didn’t vote the same on every single bill I knew that his votes were cast after thoughtful consideration. I found him to be reasonable and respectful. To condemn him for voting against appropriating another 100 billion dollars of borrowed money to blow up in somebody else’s war in Ukraine is goofy, at best. I would feel my tax dollars are a lot safer with Congressman Rosendale than wit...

  • Dear Editor: Take a Look at Gary Buchanan

    GRANT GODBOLT|Aug 3, 2022

    Dear Editor, Take a look at Gary Buchanan. During these dog days of summer take some time to focus on Gary Buchanan. He is an Independent running for the Second Congressional District of Montana. The Second Congressional District or Eastern Congressional District covers Jefferson, Broadwater, Lewis and Clark, Teton, Pondera, Toole, and most other counties east. Gary Buchanan would best represent Montana in Washington D.C. and get something done. He served three Republic Governors and three Democrat Governors and is endorsed by former...

  • Dear Editor: A Big Thank You...But We Need Your Continued Help

    THE LADIES OF THE COUNTRY STORE|Aug 3, 2022

    Dear Editor, A big thank you from the ladies at the Country Store, to the people who donate clean beautiful clothing, shoes, baby clothes, books, blankets, sheets, working appliances, pots and pans, furniture, and too many more items to mention, Although there are only a few ladies who volunteer at the store, our task is to provide clean, workable merchandise to our community. We are proud of the role we play in the Whitehall community and would like some help from you. We would like your help: PLEASE don’t donate your garbage, your ripped a...

  • Go Ask Jo: 8/3/2022

    Jo|Aug 3, 2022

    Dear Jo, It is hot, hot, hot! I have sweat in places I cannot mention. I never thought I would say this, but I am thinking of trying those new deodorant products for private areas. I actually saw one that is called “Lionbutter!” What?! I keep seeing the commercials (which I have laughed at, by the way). Have you tried these products? Do you know if they work? Signed, Sweaty and Hating It Dear Sweaty, No, I have not tried those particular products. I think their sales must be skyrocketing though. I have made use of every fan in Jefferson cou...

  • More Than Streets of Gold

    BILL LANES|Aug 3, 2022

    Who hasn’t wondered what heaven will be like? If you are like me you have had an image at one time in your life of an angelic afterlife. The Bible provides a strong Christ-like understanding of heaven. Author Lee Stroble provides us with two kinds of heaven based on evidence in scripture. One, the intermediate state, described by Jesus in Luke 23:43, “Today you will be with me in paradise.” This is a place after our bodies die, but our spirit remains alive and is in the presence of the Lord. Luke gave us this example and Christ was dying on th...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 8/3/2022

    Aug 3, 2022

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, try to focus on simple pleasures this week. You don’t have to travel to foreign lands or handle complicated hobbies to find happiness right now. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, seek opportunities to focus your mind, which is bubbling with creativity lately. Dabble in artwork or jewelry making. Cake decorating also may appeal to you. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, you may need to dig down deep and find your motivation for a new project. A change of scenery could be the catalyst for change. Book a short venture to r...

  • Dear Editor: Thankful for Cardwell General Store

    RUTH LOTT|Jul 27, 2022

    Dear Editor, I am writing to say how much I appreciate the changes Curt and Laurie Perry have made at the Cardwell General Store. Although it’s only a couple of miles from my place I never went there because the few times I did they didn’t carry what I needed. I had friends visiting recently and needed some condiments and milk for the cookout I planned. The construction going on in Whitehall spurred me to try to find what I needed in Cardwell and sure enough, I did — and in the brands I wanted. Bruce and Chad do a terrific job at Jeffe...

  • Go Ask Jo: 7/27/2022

    Jul 27, 2022

    Dear Jo, My cat has tasted human blood...should I put her down or is there a spell to save her from becoming a cannibal? I was playing a juggling game with her when I miscalculated the height and she landed on my head, bit my ear, and scratched my scalp. Later, I saw her licking my blood from her claws. I have mice, birds, and fish in my house, so naturally, I don’t want to live with a blood-thirsty killer cat. I watched that Cujo documentary this weekend and I am really scared. Do you know any spells? Thank you, Afraid to Sleep Dear Afraid, My...

  • Connecting Point: Faith in Heaven, Our Foundation

    BILL LANES|Jul 27, 2022

    Both my grandfather and grandmother were fond of saying, “Oh for heaven’s sake.” Lately, in SW Montana, I have not heard the expression. A poll of Americans finalized in November of 2021 by the Pew Research Center revealed that approximately 75% said they believed in heaven, while of those who categorized themselves as “religiously unaffiliated” only 37% claimed to believe in heaven. The subject of heaven brings up many important questions. Funerals continue to be one of the largest gatherings of people, following the death of a loved one...

  • Opinion: Building the Airplane While It's Flying

    PAUL CARTWRIGHT, Former Helena City Commissioner|Jul 27, 2022

    Gary Buchanan is on the ballot as an Independent running for the Second Congressional District. I helped a little by gathering the necessary signatures. It was a curious adventure. When the signature drive started, the political operatives all nodded sagely and said, no way, he’s doing everything wrong. They had a point. Gary signed up at the last minute, the very day candidate filing closed. He hadn’t decided to run until a week or so earlier. And he only filed as a matter of duty, because our current representative had so embarrassed Mon...

  • Some People You Can Never Thank Enough, They Do So Much...

    ELIZABETH PULLMAN, Whitehall Ledger|Jul 27, 2022

    Some people do things simply out of the goodness of their hearts, not wanting anything in return. Several of these wonderful people came into my life last week. The crew of Expedition Church (the vendor booth giving out the free fans with filters, for those of you wondering whom I'm talking about!) brought over a dozen volunteers to the Whitehall community, just to help in any way they could with Frontier Days. Not only did they help check in vendors, sponsor the rodeo, play music on the Main...

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