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  • Horoscopes: Week of 1/12/2022

    Jan 12, 2022

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, you are self-confident and know who you are, which helps you take charge of situations. Many people rely on you, and you feed off that accountability. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, you may feel like you have to be a mediator between two sides, and that only adds to the tension you have been feeling recently. Take a deep breath and a step back. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, perceptions can be misleading. Look at a confounding situation from another angle. A new perspective may be all you need to see things more clearly....

  • Thought Provokers: 1/5/2022

    Jan 5, 2022

    History makes a lot more sense when you realize we are the soberest generation there has ever been. The morning after a snowfall, it’s easy to tell which cars have garages and which ones don’t. Reading gives us the ability to learn in minutes something that took a lifetime to discover. If you are one in a million then there are 8,000 people just like you. Eagles may soar but sloths don’t get sucked into jet engines. Fried eggs and fried chicken are the same food in different stages. If you lost the ability to feel emotions, you would...

  • Dear Editor: A Clean Slate

    CHARLES HADDON SHANK|Jan 5, 2022

    Dear Editor, It’s that time of year again; the time for New Year’s Resolutions. Time for all the “New Year, new me” promises we make to ourselves. It IS that time of year. Yes, in fact, what better time to make those promises, those resolutions? Aren’t we basically starting with a clean slate, in this new year that’s opening before us? Isn’t that what we’ve been told from day one? Looking at it like we’re getting a fresh start is not altogether a bad thing, I guess, but is it really a fresh start?! Can it truly be said that we’re writing on...

  • Go Ask Jo: 1/5/2022

    Jo|Jan 5, 2022

    Dear Jo, Happy New Year! I wish I could say that I had a lot of hope for the new year. I am bummed already. I cannot seem to get my act together. What really does this year have to offer me?! I have not had any luck in so many years, I just don’t even hope for it anymore. I have a home, food, family, it just is not enough. Signed, Bored and Bummed Dear Bored and Bummed, What does the new year hold for you? Three-hundred and sixty-five opportunities to quit feeling sorry for yourself, get off your ass, and make a life! Signed, Jo Dear Jo, I f...

  • Connecting Point: Winners and Losers

    BILL LANES|Jan 5, 2022

    Every person in life is on a quest in one respect or another. Daily, people search for happiness, love, purpose and so much more. Reason and emotion make humans the pinnacle of all living organisms, and many exude exceptional physical abilities as well. On the other hand, “a rodent’s struggle for life,” became coined in American fiction: Christopher Morley’s book, turned into a movie in 1940, describes a modern problem: “The rat race”. It seems that we all want to win. King Solomon was the third and last king of ancient Israel and for 40 years...

  • Guest Opinion: APR's Ranch Buying Spree Has Negative Impact on Montana Taxpayers

    CHUCK DENOWH, United Property Owners of Montana|Jan 5, 2022

    The ink is dry on another historic cattle ranch in the Upper Missouri River Breaks consumed by the non-profit organization American Prairie Reserve (APR). With a deal to acquire the 73 Ranch, another piece of Montana’s history and leading industry has been gobbled up by the billionaires that fund APR, at the expense of Montana taxpayers. Non-profits claiming to be conservationists rob taxpayers in a couple of different ways. Donations to APR to purchase ranch property come with lucrative tax deductions. With their privileged tax status, every d...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 1/5/2022

    Jan 5, 2022

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Your finances need a little extra work, Aries. Start to focus on investments, money, and other financial matters. Your mind is quick and you catch on quite fast. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Romance is on your mind this week, Taurus. This is the time to focus on solidifying your relationship with someone special in your life or to find that perfect match. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Matters involving work are at the forefront of your mind, Gemini. You may need to put in some extra hours on the job this week. Keep your head down and your...

  • Tell Me How I'm Doing

    ELIZABETH PULLMAN, Whitehall Ledger|Jan 5, 2022

    It’s been a year since I took over the Ledger! What a wild ride! While I know where I’d like to improve in the next year, I would really appreciate hearing what readers think should and should not be in the paper, where coverage is lacking, what new features you like and what you don’t, etc. Please use the survey link https://bit.ly/3pS9FM5 and provide your honest answers. I hope to hone in on what I can be doing better. There is so much room for improvement and growth that just weren’t possible in the first year. In the next year I hope to... Full story

  • Thought Provokers: 12/29/2021

    Dec 29, 2021

    Somewhere in the world exists the most perfect partner possible, just how you both want each other to be, whom you probably won’t ever meet. If someone saw you with a lighter, they would think you smoke, even when the lighter has a hundred other uses. Hunting is more frowned upon than fishing, but they both follow the same concept. When we were kids, the milk and cookies being gone on Christmas morning seemed like unequivocal proof that Santa was real. Neo in the Matrix chose to take an unknown drug from a stranger in a strange room after being...

  • Liz's Year in Review

    ELIZABETH PULLMAN, Whitehall Ledger|Dec 29, 2021

    On New Year’s Eve last year, I anxiously awaited the clock to strike midnight. Why? Because my big news about purchasing the Whitehall Ledger could officially be released as of January 1, 2021. Was I scared of this new adventure I was about to embark on? Absolutely. I still am. But I know I’m where I’m supposed to be. This time last year, there were a lot of unknowns in my life. My family and friends pulled me through these what-ifs with their support and love. Taking on a life dream is super scary, super exciting, and, I’ve found, super f...

  • Dear Jo: 12/29/2021

    Jo|Dec 29, 2021

    Dear Jo, Well, here we are. The holidays are almost over, the gift wrap is in the trash. I was so looking forward to relaxing, taking a deep breath. Why do I feel so wound up? I cannot settle down? I find myself pacing, thoughts racing with all that the year ahead holds. How can I relax and enjoy the downtime?! Signed, No Chillin Dear No Chillin, For heaven’s sake, you have me pacing! Take some melatonin, followed by a meditation podcast and end with a hot toddy and bed! Signed, Jo Dear Jo, The holidays make my spouse amorous. To the point t...

  • Connecting Point: Christmas Choice

    BILL LANES|Dec 29, 2021

    Perhaps Americans are more individualistic than any other citizens in the world. But, regarding Christmas, my caution is to choose wisely between fact and fiction. Some embrace the folklore of Santa Claus, reindeer, and elves. Some believe Christmas simply represents giving and receiving of gifts, while others completely abandon any concept of Christmas in any light. I admit I am in the category of people who love Christmas. For the record, my beliefs go far beyond religion or superstition. A Biblical worldview recognizes the ample evidence...

  • Horoscope: Week of 12/29

    Dec 29, 2021

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, group dynamics could be tricky this week. Emotions are tense and putting too many people together may lead to friction. Make a concerted effort to stay calm. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, individuals often are judged by the company they keep. Surround yourself with honest, supportive and accomplished people as much as you can. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 It is tempting to want to help in every situation, Gemini. But this week you may need to observe from the sidelines and let others work things out on their own. CANCER Jun...

  • Thought Provokers: 12/22/2021

    Dec 22, 2021

    The Grinch changed as soon as he stopped listening to the Narrator tell him what a horrible person he was. The fact that Oreos are vegan is proof that a Vegan diet is not necessarily a healthy diet. If you listen to the Grinch song, you realize it’s just a huge diss track on the Grinch. And the Who’s get real creative with the insults; no wonder the Grinch hates Christmas. Being born increases your chance of death by one hundred percent. Banjos are guitars with southern accents. Both main characters of Veggie Tales aren’t even veget...

  • Dear Editor: Not Happy with Jefferson County Sheriff

    Kurt Ryerson|Dec 22, 2021

    Dear Editor, South Jefferson County is truly a great place to raise your kids...if you have money. All you need to do is buy your local officer or give him hunting rights. I call this Officer Pick and Choose. A local officer was given a complaint and a string of text messages between a man over forty years of age attempting to buy the panties from a fourteen-year-old girl, among other inappropriate things. The man was never charged with any offense. My question: who dropped that ball? I love and served this country. But when you call Jefferson...

  • Dear Editor: Freedom

    CHARLES HADDON SHANK|Dec 22, 2021

    Dear Editor, I’m not what most people would call a patriot. Don’t get me wrong, I love where I live, but I’m not willing to die for the American Way. I certainly don’t view this country as my Fatherland or Motherland, for that matter. However, I DO appreciate the relative freedom we still enjoy in this nation compared to other countries. It would seem that we still enjoy more personal freedom than other areas of the so-called Third World. Even what personal freedoms we have seem to be fading fast, but we can still freely exercise them, to what...

  • Dear Editor: Thank You Everyone

    STEVE WAGNER|Dec 22, 2021

    Dear Editor, A Big THANK YOU to everyone who made our second Covenant Community Christmas Celebration a success. Thanks to each of our special friends and neighbors that made up our planning committee, singers, and decoration crew. They include Maxine Samuelson, Ron & Linda Jung, Jim Stearns, Ellen Wagner, Maggie Stuart, Samuel Wagner, and Steve Wallace. Bethel and Ruth Wagner’s talent on piano and violin is always superb; thank you, ladies! Our friend from Page Arizona, Ward Fenley brings not only music wherever he goes but laughter and a h...

  • Go Ask Jo: 12/22/2021

    Jo|Dec 22, 2021

    Dear Jo, I was in a relationship for five months; we broke up in September. Recently he came over with a box of gifts for my birthday and Christmas. I really appreciate the gesture, but it also makes me a little uncomfortable. I feel like I should buy him a gift, but I don’t want to encourage something I cannot reciprocate. What do you think I should do? Signed, Grateful, But Unsure Ex Dear Unsure Ex, I am assuming you are both adults. That being the case, he decided to purchase gifts. It is not your responsibility to “make things equal” or tr...

  • Connecting Point: Eye of the Storm

    BILL LANES|Dec 22, 2021

    Although times seem troubling, we can have a full assurance that peace is possible through Jesus Christ. Some believe the “world” to be on fire, everything from politics, economics, health issues, and a litany of other flashpoints. The mere mention of these items causes some people to feel their temperature rising. Christ’s peace is essential in such times. The truth is turmoil has always been present in human history. We or our parents and grandparents have faced the 2008 housing market crash, 9/11, WWII, and the Great Depression in moder...

  • Horoscopes: Week of 12/22/2021

    Dec 22, 2021

    ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, the stars have been keeping you on your toes lately. There has been much going on but somehow you have been able to wade through it all like a rock star. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Others are asking you to stretch yourself beyond normal limits, Taurus. Do your best, but weigh the effects that this could have on your overall well-being. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Aim to be honest and direct with others as much as you can this week, Gemini. If you can prove you are trustworthy, then more people are likely to follow you. CANCER Jun...

  • Dear Editor: Climate Change

    DON LEPINSKY|Dec 15, 2021

    Dear Editor, The science has been conclusive for decades. The polar ice caps are melting. Sea levels and temperatures are rising. Forest fires, hurricanes, droughts, and flooding are increasing in intensity and frequency. The human-induced climate crisis is real and is escalating out of control. The federal government is not taking the crisis seriously enough. The Democrat mitigation policies and spending included in “Build Back Better” is a positive step, however, would it not be better if congress considered a stand-alone bill mitigating the...

  • Dear Editor: Lying

    CHARLES HADDON SHANK|Dec 15, 2021

    Dear Editor, This may be controversial. This might cause a bit of a stir. It could even be esteemed to be a bit negative; but when, if ever, is it okay to lie? Much less, to our kids? For example, one of our kids comes up to us, asking what we think of their artwork. If it’s poorly done and even ugly as sin, do we lie and tell them what a beautiful picture it is? Sure, it might boost their psyche for the moment, but what happens when one of their peers, who are usually more brutally honest than most adults, tells them it sucks? They come c...

  • Dear Editor: Patriotism

    DAVE TORGERSON|Dec 15, 2021

    Dear Editor, As a kid raised on a farm in northern Minnesota, I attended the last one-room schoolhouse of all eight grades. Graduating eighth grade and starting high school I recognized how privileged I was at Sunnyside school where I listened to classes for all eight grades. First graders were partnered with older students and given the privilege of raising and lowering the flag. We were taught respect for the flag, by making sure it never touched the ground and folding it properly until raised the following day. By listening to the lessons...

  • Thought Provokers: 12/15/2021

    Dec 15, 2021

    If Wile E. Coyote could afford all of that high-end gear, why didn’t he just go buy dinner? Most modern adults are less equipped to survive in the wilderness alone than average 10-year-olds from 200 years ago. It’s not the roof of your mouth, it’s the ceiling. As you climb up the social ladder, people become less and less funny. Wealthy people have a poorer sense of humor, while poorer people are usually hilarious. The truest genius in MENSA is the one who convinced people to pay a recurring fee to be labeled a genius. Cheesecake has no charact...

  • Dear Jo: 12/15/2021

    Jo|Dec 15, 2021

    Dear Jo, I am just sick of ugly sweaters! I have actually seen some of my own sweaters on people at these dumb parties!! What the hell?! It is literally insulting. I wore one of my best, favorite sweaters just to show people how dumb this ugly sweater idea is and they gave me the award for the ugliest sweater! I am furious. How do I let my friends know that I was insulted at the party and am determined not to go again? Signed, No Ugly Sweater Dear Sweater, If you can’t beat ‘em, (and you can’t), join ‘em. You just wear your not ugly sweater and...

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