Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Sorted by date Results 851 - 875 of 1552
Someone getting a tattoo they don’t even like then spending 50 years whining about how much they hate it would obviously be considered an idiot. But marrying someone you don’t even like and then spending the rest of your life whining about it used to be considered normal. The marketing worked so well on older generations that we have built traditions and even holidays around what we’re originally marketing campaigns. Real wolves are always larger than people expect because the wolves in movies are all Huskies. The fact that there are taxis...
When is the last time you noticed someone wearing torn and tattered work clothes? I see working individuals often sporting such attire; in fact, I’m the proud owner of some of those grease-stained clothes. My wife describes them as “shabby.” I’m certain you’ve also noticed that “ripped” jeans are also a fashion statement; it’s a fad that has come and gone at times. Thinking about this phenomenon, seldom do I hear my wife claim that our daughter’s clothes look “shabby.” Hmmm, what gives? Cultures are interesting, some practices shift dramaticall...
Dear Jo, Have you ever caught yourself doing something and then were horrified at the thought someone would find it gross, weird, etc? I have done so several times in the last few months. For example, eating with my head down like I am starving, comfortably farting or itching my butt on the way to the bathroom. I have been alone too long. What if I did any of those things (or the worse ones I will not be writing about!) in public because I have become too comfortable?! How the heck do I make sure that never, ever happens? Signed, Disgusted...
Dear Editor, I’m writing today first as a 20+ year resident and then as a recent town council member, these views are my own and do not represent the town council as a whole. We are very fortunate to live in a great community filled with quality people. Our city is experiencing some well-needed growth. Changes are never easy but we cannot escape reality. I for one welcome many changes because I wish for Whitehall to flourish. Over the years I’ve closely watched town government simply as a resident. Now that our children are grown and beg...
“Gossiping has become the main form of communication in human society. It has become the way we feel close to each other, because it makes us feel better to see someone else feel as badly as we do. There is an old expression that says, ‘Misery loves company,’ and people who are suffering in hell don’t want to be all alone.” - Don Miguel Ruiz To summarize one of the basic tenets from Don Miguel Ruiz’s book The Four Agreements, be impeccable with your word. Speak with integrity. Say only what you mean. Avoid using your words to speak against you...
To teach criminals how to behave in the community and abide by its laws, we take them out of the community to lock them up with nothing but other criminals who couldn’t behave in the community or abide by its laws, before placing them back into the community. Jedi would actually be terrible for truly diplomatic meetings. They can influence people’s thoughts, so no one would ever believe they didn’t just coerce their way into an agreement. If you dislike someone you last saw as a kid/teenager, they may dislike that version of themselves too....
Dear Editor, To Jim Buterbaugh: We were more than happy when we found that you are a candidate for County Commissioner. Kathryn and I have been associated with you for many years. Our first acquaintance was when you remodeled a couple of older houses for us--one in Whitehall and one in Butte. At that time, we found that you are a good carpenter. Over the years, we have also realized that you are a man of many talents. You never talked much about your time in the military, but I gather that was a worthwhile and successful experience. We thank yo...
Dear Jo, Do you ever feel like you missed becoming something amazing? I sometimes feel like I knew when I was young what I wanted to do, at least what area of education I would love. Life and decisions changed that course. Sometimes I am filled with regret at what might have been. I love my life, but feel like I could have been and done so much more. How can I reconcile myself with what I can achieve with the time left? Signed, Hopeful Dear Hopeful, There is no going back. Don’t just reconcile what you want to do with the time you have left! Em...
Have you discovered that life and its various “seasons” are beyond our control? Sure we can get accustomed to those changes by making personal adjustments, in addition to the arduous act of persevering. We learn to take every day one day at a time. I for one continue to learn by enjoying the journey, taking all the events of life in stride positive or negative. There have been moments when I’ve not always been optimistic, even encountering a heavy burden or two. What’s our story? King Solomon was not much different than us. Yes, he lived i...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Heavy or sensitive issues could weigh on you, Aries. However, things are likely better than you think, so find a silver lining or someone with whom you can share your struggles. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Don’t underestimate the power of positivity, Taurus. You can evoke more change than you may expect if you channel all of your confidence. Others will feed off your energy. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Mysterious energy is affecting your decisions, Gemini. Don’t be scared or suspicious. Just go with the flow for a little while and thi...
Dear Editor, Good news! The project to do restoration of the Whitehall Murals is continuing! The first mural to be restored will be the mural located at the Jefferson Fresh Foods. As I’m sure you can imagine there are significant costs to restore that specific mural. In order to facilitate financial contributions to the mural restoration, the Whitehall Chamber has reached a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation. This structure creates an opportunity for those who would like to support the mural r...
Dear Editor, I would like to address Charles Shank’s letter to the editor regarding the Whitehall Street crossing. I agree; this is a disaster waiting to happen. I have waited to pull out taking a left turn several minutes - this is becoming a very busy street. BUT this is not a city problem, this is a business problem' this is Town Pump's responsibility. The Town of Whitehall should not be bailing out money for this. Also, I salute Mr. Granvold for walking out of the Town Council meeting. I too am sick and tired of the bureaucratic p...
Dear Editor, I recently read Roger Koopman’s Op-Ed in the Whitehall Ledge entitled “Freedom’s Best Friend: Armed Citizens”. I agree with what I perceive to be Mr. Koopmans main premise. That is, the second amendment is a free citizen’s last resort when dialog fails with an overreaching government. A government that has evolved from a democracy to an autocracy. However, in my opinion, Mr. Koopman’s long-winded reasoning may be a somewhat misleading convoluted smoke screen in order to cover up extremist attempts to undermine Democracy,...
People are expected to know and follow a system of laws which experts are required to take 7+ years of post-secondary education to properly interpret and apply. It’s possible someone out there who doesn’t even remember who you are still frequently dreams about characters who borrow your appearance. Acting is the only lie people clap for. You divorce a very different person than you marry. Most people don’t know that there is a big difference between drug use and drug abuse. No matter how gory or sexual the contents, books have no age restr...
Dear Jo, How do you feel about people sharing your food? How about your drink? My aunt is always taking bites of my food, a sip of my drink. I don’t want to be a picky or a germophobic person, but I wonder where her hands and lips have been before they partake of my goodies. How do I tell her in a way she will not be offended that I wish she would keep her saliva to herself? Signed, I Spit You Not Dear Spit, The best way is the honest way. “Keep your drool and your germy hands off my food!” is a good place to start!! Let me know how it goes....
Are we entering the later stages of what many have termed the COVID-19 pandemic? Maybe? Make no mistake this matter has been incredibly divisive all across the globe. I’ve had close friends die due to complications of this disease, others who have rebounded slowly, and many others who have fared rather well. Let’s be honest, in reality, all our lives have been affected by this issue in one way or another. My intention in bringing to light this hot button issue is not to further divide people or to silence any questions on either side of the...
ARIES Mar 21Apr 20 Spending time alone could be good for you this week, Aries. While working toward your goals, you also are enjoying some much-needed peace and quiet. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Your friends may be pushing you to move forward since you seem to be stuck in the past, Taurus. Don’t stay stagnant for too long or you may lose motivation for change. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 A collaboration with someone close to you yields surprising results, Gemini. You may have been looking for inspiration for some time and finally found it. CANCER Jun 22/Jul...
Dear Editor, It is difficult to respond to an anonymous letter writer. You don’t know if the person is truly a concerned citizen or someone that is just trying to stir the pot. I will try to take this opportunity to explain the Western Legacy Center concept, as briefly as possible. This project actually started as a rest area in Boulder after the State announced they were going to close the two rest areas at Jefferson City. The concept from the beginning has always been the same, get people to pull off the Interstate highways and get them i...
Dear Editor, It has recently come to my attention, or rather awareness, that there is a need for a posted crosswalk across from the Town Pump, near the northern end of Whitehall Street. While at the Mint Bar the other night for Pool League, I bumped into an older trucker friend of mine from Canada who apprised me of this issue. He acknowledged that for younger (20s-40s) truckers who must fuel up at the diesel pumps on the east side of Whitehall Street, then run across a usually busy thoroughfare to pay their fuel bill, there is no big problem....
Face tattoos are a sign of great financial security. Batman can only work at night because otherwise, Bruce Wayne would have tan lines on his face. It’s easier for most people to imagine the end of the world than the end of capitalism. People who are 20 years old have lived 10% of their life through COVlD. Hot water heaters are really cold water heaters. At least one person you know was disappointed by how your voice sounded when you first started talking to them. If you own a nuclear bunker you’d need to stay within a 10-mile radius at all...
Within the pages of the Bible, there are particular passages that leave us with questions. For the “brightest” and “best” scholars or the average Christian there is some common criteria used for proper Bible interpretation. Step one; understand the original author’s intent, context, and cultural background. Step two; understand the genre of Scripture; Narrative/Historical, Prophecy, Epistle, Wisdom, Poetry, and Apocalyptic. Step three; carefully determine the proper application. Many general principles taught by the original author can be br...
I have received several phone calls concerning last week’s Letter to the Editor regarding the Western Legacy Center. The policy to the left has been in the newspaper since I began. “Names will be withheld by request only if deemed a matter of personal/business safety.” This policy is why the letter was left anonymous, as I am sure others will be in the future. This is not only my policy but the policy of most journalistic entities. Regarding the Western Legacy Center, there are many reasons not to sign. Perhaps a business owner wants to speak...
I just helped a friend move out of his house... libraries must be the heaviest buildings in the world. We are very lucky that mosquitoes cannot carry rabies. The voice in your head is an amazing singer. We laugh at other countries and groups of people for falling victim to misinformation, but we never think about what we might have fallen for and still don’t know about. The idea that a business won’t survive without good marketing was probably good marketing by marketing businesses marketing the need for marketing. Hash Browns are nothing more...
Dear Editor, The first amendment of the constitution is a beautiful thing! Freedom of speech and religion is as important as the second amendment. Maybe more so. Recently, I observed the Freedom Convoy rolling by Whitehall on I-90 protesting mandatory Covid-19 restrictions. Whether your car has a Biden/Harris bumper sticker, or you are flying a Trump flag, I strongly support our right to free speech, to a point. However, when protests violate the rights of others by burning and looting at one or two BLM demonstrations, deliberately disrupting...
Dear Editor, In the Letters to the Editor, I read the concerns of an unnamed business owner about the Western Legacy Center (WLC). The issues I’ve read seem outlandish, to me at least. The first comment about it residing on the outskirts of town makes no sense. Many businesses (including Jefferson Fresh Foods, Whitehall Truck & Towing, Liberty Place, etc.) are not located centrally in town yet are still a vital part of the town’s businesses. I don’t see an issue if the WLC is directing people to local shops, the Jefferson Valley Museum, and r...
