Split Diamond, Others Honored at 1st Annual Chamber Biz/Volunteer Event

On Thursday, September 21, the Whitehall Chamber held what they hope will become a long-standing kickoff to the Fall Festival weekend - the Whitehall Chamber Business and Volunteer Appreciation Celebration.

Attendees enjoyed food and drink by Montana Jam & Candles + Bake Shop, Sweet Melissa's, Whitehall Coffee Co., and the K-Bar while networking with friends and colleagues and enjoying the live music presented by Pony Express after the awards were presented. The dancing and fun went well into the evening.

Whitehall Chamber Business of the Year went to Split Diamond Ranch. Split Diamond, in the past year, has worked tirelessly to innovate their meat packaging to provide individually wrapped and pre-sized Split Diamond Angus burger patties, as well as brats and meat sticks. Split Diamond has also donated their goods to many entities, including the Whitehall Chamber's annual Frontier Days BBQ. The Buckners and their crew are also instrumental in the behind-the-scenes workings of many community events.

Organizational Volunteer of the Year was given to Whitehall's Whimsical Wonders. Not only did this group of lovely ladies create the very successful Enchanted Forest Faire, but they are also ready to help in any way, including providing decorations for community events. Whimsical Wonder's Dorie Westhoven said that the group was inspired by Bozeman's Random Acts of Silliness and plans to have the Enchanted Forest Faire again in 2024.

Individual Volunteer of the Year went to Lorie Steerman. Lorie is the former Chamber Treasurer and has donated countless hours of her time as a Friend of the Chamber. Unfortunately, Lorie was unable to attend the evening as she was a bit under the weather.

The title of Chamber Champion was awarded to Expedition Church. Phil Dooley accepted the award and noted that Expedition Church has a huge soft spot for Whitehall and the Jefferson Valley. Expedition Church brings missionaries from all over the country to Whitehall to help assist with Frontier Days; in the past few years Expedition has updated the Legion Park gazebo, relocated the horseshoe pits, repainted the "Welcome to Whitehall" sign on the side of the Star Theatre, and much more.

The Whitehall Chamber wanted to recognize Whitehall's longest-running business, McGrew Machine & Fabricating, Inc. as they celebrated their 50th anniversary. Unfortunately, owners Tim and Paula Hippert had just acquired a new puppy and couldn't leave it to attend, so they wrote up the below history of their Whitehall business.

THE HISTORY OF WHITEHALL'S LONGEST RUNNING BUSINESS: McGrew Machine & Fabricating, Inc. The Darrow and Mary Hippert family lived in Tillamook, OR but Mary, who was born and raised in Bozeman, wanted to be closer to family. In 1969 the family moved to Butte and once there, Darrow Hippert purchased McGrew Machine Works from Vernon Johnson. The business name was changed to McGrew Machine and Fabricating, Inc.

The shop at that time specialized in engine and transmission repair and rebuilds. McGrews was active in auto racing at Butana Speedway by sponsoring two cars that were built and maintained in their shop.

The Butte McGrew shop burned down in August of 1972. Disagreements with the town of Butte concerning what kind of new building should be built prompted Darrow to move the business to Whitehall opening on January 1, 1973. McGrews specialized in building metal septic tanks, irrigation equipment repairs, and basic metal fabrication.

It wasn't long before McGrews heard there were upcoming environmental issues concerning tar on steel septic tanks in the ground. Darrow then invented the Hippert Wood Burning Furnace which was featured in Popular Science magazine. McGrew shipped furnaces across the United States and Canada for many years.

As a young boy, Tim worked side by side with his father learning the trade and all aspects of the business. When Darrow passed away in 1996, Tim took over running the shop. He builds camp stoves, ATV cattle guards for the US Forest Service in and out of Montana, irrigation, farm and construction repairs, and general metal fabrication.

Mary trained Paula in her various duties within the business. Paula took over Mary's position when she passed away in 2006.

Tim believes the business has stayed active for 50 years by keeping steady hours, having a good work ethic, and building quality products and repairs at a fair price. If a customer is satisfied with their purchase, they will return.

McGrew keeps overhead costs to a minimum by finding the best deals on inventory, heating the shop with wood in the winter, and updating to high-efficiency lighting. All of these things help keep costs down for consumers.

Thank you, Whitehall, and Jefferson Valley customers, for all your support throughout the years. Without you, McGrew Machine & Fabricating, Inc. could not have succeeded.