Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Dear Editor, Over the past few weeks, I’ve thought a lot about the issue of human trafficking, especially child trafficking and child sexual abuse in general. I have followed Tim Ballard and Operation Underground Railroad for a couple of years and was very excited to see the “Sound of Freedom" screening in many theaters across the country, and the huge turnout at our local Star Theater, thanks to Colton Anderson. This film, and others, are so important, as they help all of us to understand how...
There is no reason for baby clothing to have pockets. People in zombie shows/movies only worry about gasoline for vehicles and never about any of the other fluids, like motor oil. Calling yourself HANGRY is the most adult way of crying for your bottle. Car alarms are one of the most pointless inventions since the vast majority of people assume they went off by accident. Every loan is you borrowing from your future self. Whenever you meet someone, there’s a small chance you’ve already flipped them off or cussed them out while driving wit...
Today, I’m not sure many of us are aware of how easily we over-extend ourselves. Still. In general, we often wish to help someone in need because of an honest desire to be compassionate, at least that’s how I operate, how about you? Then there are other circumstances where we may say yes with our words, but on the inside our heart it shouts “No Way.” Our country had better regain its balance fairly soon, or nothing will be left to balance. Dr. Henry Cloud says, “Every invitation to help or rescue someone is an opportunity to strengthen our hone...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 It is time to recharge your batteries this week, Aries. It may be challenging to slow down, but that is just what you need to do or you are going to run out of steam on your next project. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Early on this week, you may start out in a bit of a funk, Taurus. That all will change with some words from a friend that will help your mood bounce in the other direction. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, the side of your brain responsible for pragmatism has been working overtime. You are ready to solve any problems and fi...
Why do we put our pants on one leg at a time, but take them off two legs at a time? If someone from the past suddenly appeared today, what would be the most difficult thing to explain to them—the internet or avocado toast? UPS will leave a $900 video card on my porch without even knocking but I have to sign for a $10 pizza. If Apple owned the ISS it would spell disaster for other spacecraft that wanted to dock with it. A successful marriage ends with watching the other person die. There should be a millennial edition of Monopoly where you j...
With the otter attack fresh in my mind, I was a little leary when I made the decision to float the Madison in Three Forks to Headwaters on Sunday afternoon. Granted, no one thinks something as out-of-the-blue as an otter attack will happen to them, especially after it just happened less than two weeks ago on a different river. We went, and we half-heartedly joked about it happening to us because "it would be our luck" and then...Moose. Not just one, not just two, but four in the course of a few...
The state legislature passed $384 million in property tax rebates, the first half of which is currently available to Montanans. The window to claim your rebate-up to $675 on your primary residence-is August 15, 2023, to October 1, 2023. Go to getmyrebate.mt.gov to claim your rebate. The second round of rebates will be available during the same timeframe next year, so mark your calendar. You must file a claim to receive the property tax rebates to verify your primary residence information, as...
Georgia, I have a question, My four-year-old’s art is absolutely terrible. Should I tell her? Art-Obsessed Art, Ummmm...how do people such as yourself choose to be parents? No! Absolutely do not tell a four-year-old their art is not up to your “standards!” Nurture them, guide them, and praise them. Other than that, SHUT UP! With love, Georgia Georgia, I have a question, What should I do about my 19-year-old son? He JUST moved into his new dorm and has already started dating an older woman. She is 20-years-old and in the same classes at his univ...
I’ve noticed our culture is adrift, rudderless, and maybe exhausted. Maybe you’ve seen the same dynamic played out in a variety of ways. Wrongs have become rights. First, I’m not writing in any attempt to persuade anyone politically. My goal is to persuade readers to consider the truths of the Bible. Christian maturity and Biblical application are far more important to me than some political viewpoints. It is true that our foundational belief system will intersect into aspects of our daily life, so we must learn to examine in detail those...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Do not fight your emotions over the next few days, Aries. You need to embrace your feelings or you might not grow in your relationships. Show everyone the true you. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, capture all of your great ideas on paper or in digital form to refer to later on. You’re feeling creative right now, and soon you can turn this into projects that have legs. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Time isn’t on your side right now, Gemini. You may wonder how you can add hours to the day, but you must make do with the time you have. CAN...
Dear Editor, This is an open letter to Montana Legislators Fern, Hamilton, Gillette, Galloway, Yakanich, Buckly, Stafman, Dooling, Kortum, Malone, Essman, O'Brien, Fitzpatric, Hertz, Springer, Nikilakokos, Pope, Boldman, Caferro, L. Smith, McKay, Zephyr, Nicol, and Hayman. I am writing to thank you for your bills addressing housing and/or homelessness in the latest legislative session, even though few passed. From emergency shelters for the homeless and seasonal housing for guest workers to...
Dear Editor, Last Wednesday night the PBS News Hour covered a story on the decline of weekly newspapers due in part to the switch by advertisers to the internet. The result, in many cases, was a breakdown in connection within the communities which the reporters felt has contributed to the polarization from which our political processes currently suffers. It made me realize how fortunate our area is that the Whitehall Ledger continues to be published. RUTH LOTT Cardwell, Montana...
As a kid, my parents taught me to not believe everything I see on TV. Now, I have to teach them to not believe everything they see on Facebook. If ghosts can walk through walls, why do they bother with doors? Why do we call them “fingers” if we don’t actually “fing” with them? Nothing is on fire, fire is on things. Accidentally liking someone’s post while snooping through their profile is the digital equivalent of stepping on a twig while sneaking through the forest. “Go to bed, you’ll feel better in the morning” is the human version of “Did y...
Clearly, we are living in frightening times; modern culture is far different than even one generation ago. The peace of WWII is fading. Relativism is understood as the belief that there’s no absolute truth, only the truths that a particular individual or culture happens to believe. My friends this is a recipe for disaster! Josh McDowell author and co-leader of the Free to Thrive series makes an important distinction; culture today has seen a rapid progression over the past few decades on three levels. Society has long been guided by an ...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Things that have seemingly been holding you back should be reevaluated this week, Aries. You are looking elsewhere for solutions when all you need to do is make a few tweaks. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Taurus, spend time reflecting on things this week, as you may have some difficult decisions to make in the near future. A close confidante can serve as a sounding board. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, now is the time to identify your priorities as they pertain to the job. Do you want a career and a company that you stick with? Or,...
As I meet with Montanans in every corner of our state, I hear the same concern often –taxes are too high. And they're right. Taxes are too high and need to be reined in. Two years ago, we enacted a fiscally responsible budget, and as a result, the State of Montana today has a historic budget surplus. Ultimately, that means you overpaid your taxes, and we're giving it back to you. When we released our Budget for Montana Families last November, we again held the line on spending, and we focused o...
Dear Editor, The Spay & Neuter Mobile vet services are no longer available in Jefferson County. Due to the unavailable mobile vet services for Spay & Neuter Clinics in Jefferson County, the AS&C of Jefferson County is temporarily unable to provide the bi-annual Low-Cost Spay & Neuter Clinics. Until these traveling vet services become available for our clinics, the AS&C of Jefferson County will continue to offer County residents $40 Spay & Neuter discount coupons to redeem at Western Veterinary...
At a movie theatre, which armrest is yours? In the word scent, is the “S” silent, or is it the “C”? There is now a generation of kids who grew up with the internet without ever touching a keyboard or a mouse in their lives. People with autism just have a different operating system in their brains. Why is there a “D” in the word fridge but not in refrigerator? Who knew what time it was when the first clock was made? The bigger someone’s favorite number gets, the weirder it is. 6, 7, 8, and 9 never appear next to each other on a digital clock...
No one is perfect, well, last time I checked. But, past failures and sins need not define our future, and I am thinking about right now. Is a failure haunting you? Through Jesus Christ we find redemption when we seek his forgiveness. “If you declare with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved…. Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be sav...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Aries, someone in your life says they’re making changes, but when you look closely it seems like much of the same. A little encouragement on your part can help this person along. TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Tread lightly if you broach a difficult conversation with someone close to you, Taurus. These are tricky waters you are navigating and you want to maintain the relationship. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Problems may seem to you to be bigger than they really are, Gemini. Step back, take a few breaths and then look at things from a...
Dear Editor, I wasn't planning to go see The Sound of Freedom; in fact, I was planning not to, but a friend asked me to watch it with her, so I decided to give it a whirl. I wasn't too disappointed; in fact, I was almost pleasantly surprised given the subject matter. The Sound of Freedom was heart wrenchingly honest about the deplorable issue of child sex trafficking; deplorable doesn't really even begin to describe the horrors of it! As uncomfortable as the subject matter is, it is there,...
Handcuffing a deaf person takes away their freedom of speech. The idea of an animated skeleton is a lot less scary when you realize a skeleton only weighs about 7 pounds. The older you get, the more of an inconvenience it becomes to select your date of birth out of a drop-down menu. Willy Wonka killed 4 kids in his factory and gave its ownership to Charlie to deal with the PR nightmare. It really takes one person to ruin thousands of other people’s lives. Beer is the only drink that’s acceptable to be served in a glass that’s overflowing and d...
A balanced Biblical view of who we are is both necessary and healthy. Author and theologian Josh McDowell states, “A healthy self-image is seeing yourself as God sees you, no more and no less.” Certainly, there are viewpoints that get quite unbalanced as history demonstrates. On one side, those who negatively think of themselves as fallen and unworthy negate the power of the Gospel, which redeems us. Then, on the opposite side, those who think too highly of themselves believe that they can do no wrong. They are apt to be like Icarus, the son of...
ARIES Mar 21/Apr 20 Don’t rush in and act combative this week, Aries. Take a more delicate approach to convince others to see things your way. As the saying goes, “You catch more flies with honey than with vinegar.” TAURUS Apr 21/May 21 Are you feeling like you may want to be a wellness warrior of late, Taurus? Start by taking inventory of the foods in your home and making some healthier changes. GEMINI May 22/Jun 21 Gemini, if you are looking to make a few new friends, ask others to connect you with like-minded individuals. You never know...
The following letter was read by The Whitehall Ledger at the July Town Council meeting as requested by Terry Reed. To whom it may concern on the Town Council and Whitehall Ledger, I am Terry Reed, a member of the community of Whitehall for most of my life. I have asked that the Whitehall Ledger Editor read this at the Town Council meeting on my behalf. I wish to let it be known that I am extremely displeased with the decision to put a four-way stop sign at the corner of A Street and First...
