Ledger Looking Back What Happened in 2023?

JANUARY

(1/4/2023):

• The Whitehall Sustainability Committee opened its second grant cycle, with applications due by February 1st.

(1/11/2023):

• The Whitehall Town Council updates the Rec Complex bylaws, while a Rec Board working session brings in opinionated crowds.

• LaHood Park reopened in Cardwell after rebuilding from a fire in 2021.

• Obituaries: Patty Strozzi (94), Amy DuBois (44), Loren Shaw (80), and Claire Best (85).

(1/18/2023):

• The Whitehall Chamber holds First Business After Hours and introduces new goals.

• Six WHS students complete a licensed certified nursing course.

• Eric Seidensticker resigned from his Executive Director position at Jefferson Local Development Corporation (JLDC).

(1/25/2023):

• The Western Legacy Center presents a mock-up of the proposed Ring of Honor to the Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame directors.

• WHS wrestlers place fifth overall in Montana B-C Duals

• Obituaries: Loren Willet (66).

FEBRUARY

(2/1/2023):

• Montana Shakespeare in the Parks presented Hamlet Sandwich and workshops to Whitehall elementary and middle school students.

• The Healing Spot, owned by Heidi Lynn, opens on Main Street.

• Obituaries: Melitta Nagel (98), Donald Hyyppa (82), Robert Nevin (84), and Norman Reum (73).

(2/8/2023):

• WHS Trojan wrestlers take third at Divisionals.

• Cardwell School Spelling Bee winner were JW Engler, Roam Hunt, Ember Hunt, Eon Hunt, and Gavyn Coombe.

• Obituaries: Ada Hanson (90).

(2/15/2023): The Whitehall School Board finds support from students and their families concerning a 4-day school week for the 2023-2024 school year.

• Whitehall Trojan wrestlers place sixth at the Montana State Wrestling tournament, with seniors Miles Hoerauf and Leo Scafani earning second-place honors for their weight classes. Senior Dane Hoover and junior Isaac Skogen placed fifth in their brackets.

• 1st Call Heating & Air Conditioning, owned by Mike Ildvad, opens in Whitehall.

• Obituaries: Judy Stratton (93).

(2/22/2023): The Whitehall Assembly of God hosts a Bob Ross painting night with over three dozen in attendance.

• St. Teresa Catholic Church held their annual banquet.

• Obituaries: Dick Brown (83).

MARCH

(3/1/2023):

• Lindsey Graham, of Basin, takes on the JLDC Executive Director position.

• The Whitehall Middle School Trojan wrestling team brought home a first-place trophy from the Dillon Tournament.

• Gold Junction Presents (GJP) announces Christopher Nolan film series.

• Sage Wellness Center held an Intuitive Art Class at their location on Hwy 2.

• Obituaries: Brigadier General Ret. Robert Lytle (63).

(3/8/2023):

• The Doran Family Fundraiser, benefiting Liam and Samara Doran’s daughter Emberlyn, who was born at 27 weeks, was a huge success.

• Thad Powell is featured in an article about his trip to Washington, DC with the Montana Special Olympics group.

• Helping Hands Personal Care Service, owned by Haley Smith, LPN, opens in Whitehall.

• Obituaries: Bill Beam (87)and Dave Soderberg (88).

(3/15/2023):

• Whitehall Town Clerk Allissa Christensen resigned from her position, having accepted the school clerk position at Whitehall Schools.

• Whitehall senior Maxine Hoagland signed to play volleyball for the University of Montana-Western.

• The Whitehall Sustainability Committee heard two grant applications - the first from Gold Junction Presents (GJP) in the amount of $75,000 for a flexible use stage for the Star Theatre. The Town of Whitehall presented the second request, a $500,000 request for the Whitehall Recreation Complex overhaul.

(3/22/2023):

• The first annual 4H Family Day was held at the Whitehall Community Center.

• Whitehall Little Guy wrestling dominated the state tournament.

• The Whitehall High School Drama Club presented The View From Sunset Towers.

• Obituaries: Pamela Todd (62)

(3/29/2023):

• Whitehall High School names juniors Lindsay Briggs and Isaac Skogen King and Queen of the Disco Prom. Juniors Gavin French and Charity Nieskens were named Prince and Princess.

• The Whitehall Recreation Complex Board votes to recommend early termination of the Whitehall Saddle Club (WSC) lease to the Town Council.

• Whitehall second-grader Kyla Grabil takes second at Montana Open Wrestling Tournament in Billings.

• The Jefferson Valley Community Foundation is featured for their service to the Jefferson Valley.

APRIL

(4/5/2023):

• Pamela Polachi announces the closing of her store, Settings by All Things Montana.

• 406 Organix announces plans to open on Robbins Lane.

• The Whitehall PTSA holds its first annual Hoedown Fundraiser in the Tia Kober gym.

• Heart & Soul Alpacas bring home two first-place trophies, two reserve champions, and two third-place trophies from the 34th Annual MAzuri AOA National Alpaca Show.

• Whitehall kindergarteners dominate PTSA money wars, bringing in $77.33.

• Obituaries: Jessie May Todd (89), Jennie Lee McArthur (86), Leeanne Delzer-Kish/Wasia (25), and Hilde Lambrecht (93).

(4/12/2023):

• The Whitehall Town Council approves early termination of the WSC lease, though states they hope to renegotiate, at a special meeting.

• The Whitehall Chamber holds its annual Easter Egg Hunt and Scavenger Hunt on the Main Street Green.

• The Whitehall School Board approves Kristi’s Kiddie Korner as the provider for the new preschool facility.

• Obituaries: Bryon Cole (63) and Michael Morris (66).

(4/19/2023):

• The Whitehall Town Council pauses updates to their poultry ordinances to garner public comment from local poultry owners.

• The Whitehall Baptist Church presented the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department with a check for $10,000 - money raised from their 2023 Outdoorsman Night, which was held on April 1.

• Obituaries: Bob Marks (91), Bob Davis (92), and Waynette Van Fleet (71).

(4/26/2023):

• Whitehall Community Theatre, a division of GJP, presented their second production - this time The Literati Awards - at the Star Theatre.

• The Whitehall Community Library held its second annual Holocaust Survivor and Rescuer Fair. The participants of the Holocaust Project also visited Los Angeles’ Holocaust Museum.

• WHS alumni Jacob Flynn joins TEAM Insurance.

• Obituaries: Daniel Segovia (67) and Karolyn Hillstead (75).

MAY

(5/3/2023):

• Whitehall held its annual Spring Clean throughout town, with WHS students assisting.

• The Whitehall Garden Club held its third annual Arbor Day event at the Whitehall Community Center

• Second Round Mini Mall announces its grand opening on May 5th.

• Obituaries: Afton Fell (85), Debra JeanWiersema (69), and Dorothy Ann Labrie (94).

(5/10/2023):

• The BYs 4-H held their 60th annual Youth Rodeo at the Whitehall Recreation Complex.

• The Whitehall School Board heard support for Coach Dan Lacey.

• 406 Winds performed at the Star Theatre, brought to town by GJP.

• Obituaries: Robert Perry (75).

(5/17/2023):

• The Whitehall Town Council agrees to a 30-day extension on the WSC building removal, still working towards a resolution.

• The Cardwell Community Church held an ice cream social at Borden’s for the community.

• The Whitehall Trojan track and field team represented well at the District 5B meet.

• Obituaries: Robert Powell (81)

(5/24/2023):

• Leo Scafani is named Valedictorian of the WHS Class of 2023; Gavin Watson is named Salutatorian.

• WHS Seniors Maxine Hoagland, Gavin Watson, Michael Reiff, and Blake DuBois receive Whitehall Country Store scholarships.

• Several Trojans head to State Track & Field Meet, including senior Kyle Denny in the javelin, senior Maxine Hoagland in the 400 meter, and the 4x100 relay team which consisted of sophomore Hope Moriarty, Hoagland, freshman Lexi Stratton, and freshman Julia Hoagland.

• Obituaries: Maxine Byler (93).

(5/31/2023):

• Jefferson Valley EMS receives recognition as EMS Service of the Year from the Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services.

• The WHS Class of 2023 is awarded over $250k in scholarships.

• Obituaries: Russell Green (87).

JUNE

(6/7/2023):

• Florence Fischer-Bailey, mother of Whitehall resident Linda Brennan, celebrated her 100th birthday.

• Obituaries: Jim Griffin (63) and Dr. Sheila MacDonald Stearns (76)

(6/14/2023):

• Whitehall Town Councilman Bill Lanes goes sunny-side-up at the Demolition Derby in Dillon.

• The Town of Whitehall and the Recreation Complex Board begin researching a ranch rodeo for Frontier Days.

(6/21/2023):

• The Town of Whitehall offers ranch rodeo sponsorships.

• Jennifer Hoerauf wins the Montana Newspaper Association’s Best Sports Photo award.

• The Jefferson Valley Search & Rescue held their annual Father’s Day.

• The Gnome Roam search begins throughout town in anticipation of the Enchanted Forest Faire.

(6/28/2023):

• The Whitehall Whimsical Wonder’s Enchanted Forest Faire is held on the Main Street Green in conjunction with GJP’s Beats & Eats music series.

• Eighth graders Oakley Buckner and Kortni Wilson compete at the 12th Annual Celebration of the Year of Dance national competition in Las Vegas with Dynamic Dance and Tumbling Academy in Butte.

JULY

(7/5/2023):

• Eighth grader Lillian Schober graduates from the Civil Air Patrol Montana Wing Summer Encampment.

• Right Relationships, owned by Sally Erickson and Timothy Bennett, announces services in Whitehall.

(7/12/2023):

• Allegations of animal abuse, a puppy mill, and more were made by Todd Preece against Michael and Roberta Coffey.

• Whitehall Chamber and Whitehall Ledger reinstate Push Pennies assistance program to help those who need a tank of gas, shower, etc.

• Obituaries: David Adamson (78) and Rayleen Durnam (80).

(7/19/2023):

• Whitehall Town Council asks town attorney for a legal opinion on the Mayor’s new four-way stop signs.

• Diane Ward was installed as State President of the Montana Federation of Garden Clubs.

• Copper K Barn hosts the annual Copper K Fiber Festival.

• Obituaries: Ervin Hedegaard (86), Harvey Davis (82), Tasha Reiff (45), and Randy Kirk (71).

(7/26/2023):

• Town Attorney returns legal opinion of Mayor’s actions to Town Council, stating the Mayor did not violate the Town’s purported PO process regarding new stop signs.

• Terrie Casagrande is announced as the 2023 Frontier DAys Parade Grand Marshall

• Obituaries: Leonard Jones (86), Jack Sleeman (91), and Linda Mae Labrie (83).

AUGUST

(8/2/2023):

• 2023 Frontier Days a huge success

• Barbara Lein is named Gardener of the Year.

• Obituaries: Elizabeth May Bell

(8/9/2023):

• Victims recount their unprovoked otter attack on the Jefferson River.

• TEAM Insurance celebrates its 15th year in business.

• The 2023 WHS Athletic Hall of Fame nominations include Layne Glaus, Kerry Sacry, Nels Nelson, Doug & Arcylle Shaw, and the 1983 American Legion Whitehall Renegades Baseball Team.

• GJP announces The Classics film series for the Star Theatre.

(8/16/2023):

• We Are HER retreat assists 14 survivors in becoming HEALED, EMPOWERED, and RESTORED.

• Whitehall Ledger owner and editor has a close encounter of the scary kind with several moose while floating.

• Whitehall School welcomes back students

• Obituaries: Theresa Wilkinson (65).

(8/23/2023):

• Whitehall’s newest park discovers a $26,000 shortfall and asks the community for donations.

• Whitehall Town Council legalizes its purchase order process.

• Whitehall elementary and middle school teachers are introduced.

• Obituaries: James Rogers (83)

(8/30/2023):

• The Whitehall Recreation Complex Board submits the final motion for the WSC memorandum of understanding.

• Whitehall Trojan football begins.

• Whitehall High School teachers as well as Cardwell School teachers are introduced.

SEPTEMBER

(9/6/2023):

• Whitehall TIF Board votes to pay for the remainder of playground installation in the amount of $34,000.

• Whitehall Chamber accepts nominations for business/volunteer recognition awards.

(9/13/2023):

• The Reed family holds their annual 9/11 flag showing on the I-90 overpass.

• Celebrity antique appraiser Timothy Gordon visits the Jefferson Valley Museum for appraisals of local items.

• Obituaries: Wayne Doney (74).

(9/20/2023):

• WSC rejects the Rec Board recommendation and asks for MOU to be signed.

• Pepper Tree Deli closes its doors.

• WHS alumni Wyatt Alexander emerges as Montana Tech’s top receiver.

• Obituaries: Betty Novich (83).

(9/23/2023):

• Split Diamond Ranch is recognized as the Whitehall Chamber’s Business of the Year at the Chamber’s first annual Business/Volunteer recognition event. In addition, awards were given to Whitehall’s Whimsical Wonders as Organizational Volunteer of the Year, Lorie Steerman as Individual Volunteer of the Year, and Expedition Church as Chamber Champion.

• The Whitehall Chamber’s Fall Festival added a benefit BINGO event.

• Rico Patacini is appointed to the Whitehall School board.

• Whitehall residents Vaia Errett, Stevie Croisant, and Elizabeth Pullman speak at Boulder’s first annual Ideas Festival.

• The Whitehall community helps save Screams Come True with donations towards a commercial fire suppression system for the Whitehall Community Center.

• Obituaries: Elmer Ehlers (88) and Kathryn Ball (78).

OCTOBER

(10/4/2023):

• Homecoming week snapshots from WHS show lots of festivities.

• WHS reinstates the FFA club.

• Golden Sunlight Mine donates emergency response bags for each Whitehall Elementary classroom.

• The new building that will soon be the Golden Sunlight Childcare Center was delivered to Main Street.

(10/11/2023):

• Two Bit Saloon and Grill celebrates its grand reopening with new owners Chad, Kim, and Camden Sacry.

• Gayle Sacry celebrates 50 years of serving the Whitehall community via medicine.

• WHS crowns seniors Isaac Skogen and Lindsay Briggs as Homecoming King and Queen.

• Two-and-a-half-year-old Clara Myrstol is diagnosed with AML Leukemia.

• Obituaries: Marion Johns (82).

(10/18/2023):

• Whitehall Town Council and WSC “back to square one” on negotiations over recreation complex issues.

• Whitehall Middle School football closes the season undefeated.

• Jefferson Valley Community Foundation opens grant cycle.

• Whitehall’s haunted house Screams Come True, run by GJP, prepares for opening weekend.

• Obituaries: Frances Dellinger (86).

(10/25/2023):

Governor Greg Gianforte visits Whitehall businesses Ridgeline Sports and Pipestone Village & Hotsprings on his annual 56-county tour.

• Cardwell Community Church pie contest a huge success with over 80 in attendance.

NOVEMBER

(11/1/2023): Whitehall native Jeanne McNulty-King is inducted into the 2023 Grizzly Sports Hall of Fame.

• The Whitehall Chamber’s Trunk or Treat at the Whitehall Community Center brings costumes of all kinds.

• Obituaries: Jim Staedt (86).

(11/8/2023):

• Whitehall’s Screams Come True completes its fifth season.

• Knights of Columbus gift Whitehall and Cardwell schools with warm coats for the upcoming winter season.

• Obituaries: Don Charles (92).

(11/15/2023):

• WHS predicts a $30k activities deficit by the end of the 2023-2024 school year.

• Whitehall and Cardwell schools honor local veterans with Veteran’s Day events.

• WindSync performs at the Star Theatre, brought to Whitehall by GJP.

• The Jefferson Valley Community Foundation holds its annual Short & Sweet grant awards night, providing funds to WHS FFA, Whitehall Garden Club, PULSE, Whitehall Community Center, Jefferson Valley Museum, and Jefferson Valley Sportsmen Association. Mystery grants were won by the Whitehall Chamber mural restoration project, Whitehall Rural Fire Department, and Gold Junction Presents.

(11/22/2023):

• Liberty Place holds its annual Festival of Trees fundraising event.

• The last mural update of 2023 is installed at the K-Bar. Murals replaced in 2023 included Rocky Mountain Bank and Jefferson Fresh Foods.

• WHS alumni Dylan Smith is named defensive scout team player of the year for the University of Montana Grizzlies.

(11/29/2023):

• The Ag Cats and the Spoons & Spurs 4-H Clubs helped decorate Whitehall for the holidays.

• Obituaries: Karen Hockenberry (54).

DECEMBER

(12/6/2023):

• The WHS Honor Society donates to the Whitehall Food Pantry.

• An Advent Wreath Workshop was held at St Teresa’s.

• The Whitehall Garden Club helped decorate the Whitehall Volunteer Fire Department.

• Obituaries: Troy Braaten (6).

(12/13/2023):

• Whitehall Chamber’s Christmas Festival brings holiday cheer to every corner of Whitehall.

• WHS Portrait of a Graduate traits, announced at the December School Board meeting, include communication, perseverance, critical thinking, technology literacy, and adaptability.

• Star Theatre owner Colton Anderson announces GJP will begin running theatre as of January 1st.

• Obituaries: Dr. Rodney James (81), Dave Wassam (86), and Brett Ellison (46).

(12/20/2023):

• The Western Legacy Center holds its first annual Cowboy Christmas.

• The Whitehall water treatment facility comes in almost 2x over budget.

• Obituaries: Eugene Crain (84).

(12/27/2023):

• Tilden Styles Whitehall

• Meet the Trodicks

• 2023 Recap