We've Got The County Covered
We've Got The County Covered
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Sponsored by the Big Flat Teacher's Association, Missoula Children's Theatre (MCT) personnel arrived in Turner on September 29 to spend a week-long residency. Under the supervision of MCT staff members Madison McNair and Alaynie Franklin, Turner Public School (TPS) students immersed themselves in theatre education. After engaging with workshops during the week on such topics as improvisation, the group presented an original musical adaptation of the Lewis Carroll classic Alice in Wonderland on O...
Did you know you can use your Harlem Public Library card to check out items at The Blaine County Library in Chinook & The Havre-Hill County Library in Havre? As long as you are in good standing, go browse their collections! Also, have you thanked your county commissioners or library board members lately? A lot of their job goes unrecognized and unappreciated, so I’d just like to take the time to mention Shane Fox, Miles Hutton, Delores Plumage, Jackie Blackbird, Teresa Cornell, Libby Kuntz, Sandy Miller, and Lori Owens. And if you see them a...
Alert Journal readers will recall that after each significant venture away from home I write about some of the points of interest once we arrive back in Chinook. Recently Sherry and I visited Woodinville, Washington, dog sitting for Fiona, our favorite standard poodle. Here are a few of the memorable experiences that helped make the two weeks a lot of fun. We walked to Bassetti's Crooked Arbor Garden to see the flowers, plants and outdoor art Bassetti's garden is about a ten-minute walk from whe...
Most people have likely heard of the television drama Yellowstone, which focuses on the John Dutton (played by Kevin Costner) family who own and manage the largest cattle ranch in Montana. However, have they heard of The Real Yellowstone? This film, directed by Tom Opre, unveils some of the complications surrounding stewardship and conservation, about what it means to protect wildlife from differing perspectives: the American Prairie Reserve and the American farmer. Given the popularity of the...
October's Book Challenge is to read a book that takes place during your favorite season. Let us know when you've done that, and we'll get your name into a drawing to a $10 gift certificate to a local business. This week is Banned Books Week. The point of this week is to celebrate the freedom to read! From the Banned Books Page on the American Library Association's website: "Books are still being banned and challenged today. A challenge is an attempt to remove or restrict materials, based upon...
Chinook High School celebrated homecoming with a week of activities from September 15-20. The festivities began with hall decorations and culminated with sporting events. Winners were announced and royalty crowned. According to Pep Club Advisor, Faith Hofman, each class chose a theme for hallway decorations from a list of more than thirty musicals. Based on that list, the freshmen selected Mean Girls, the sophomores chose Grease, the juniors decided upon Shrek, while the seniors preferred The...
With the theme "Game on, Tornadoes," Turner Public School held their homecoming festivities on Friday, September 26. A parade, carnival, and coronations were all part of the celebratory agenda. Using the chosen theme, each class designed a float around the idea of a board or video game. The Class of 2026 won the float competition with a Mario Kart-themed float and the motto "Tornadoes Always Win the Race." The seniors threw banana peels (just like in Mario Kart) off the trailer in the judges'...
Nestled in the business district in Chinook, the Blaine County Wildlife Museum has become a local treasure dedicated to celebrating and preserving the region's rich natural history. Founded in 1991 by a board of directors spearheaded by Scott MacKenzie, this nonprofit organization has become a cornerstone of the community. Among the earliest and still-active member is Roger Jergeson, one of the most senior board members. Former board member, Deb Davies, did a lot of work to get it going. From...
I jumped the gun last week with my article about Banned Books Week! Banned Books Week is next week October 5-11. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in libraries, bookstores, and schools. Typically (but not always) held during the last week of September, the annual event highlights the value of free and open access to information and brings together the entire book community — librarians, educators, authors, publishers, booksellers, and readers of all types — in shared sup...
s still not too late to let us know! You'll get your name in a drawing for a $10 gift certificate at a local business. October's Book Challenge will be to read a book that takes place during your favorite season. Contact us when you've finished that one, and we'll put your name in the October drawing. We will also begin our new Library of Things program. We already have hotspots and other "things" people can check out, but our board has developed and approved a policy and agreement to begin this...
Censorship Is So 1984. Read For Your Rights! The American Library Association and Banned Books Week Coalition are pleased to announce the theme for Banned Books Week 2025: “Censorship Is So 1984. Read for Your Rights.” Banned Books Week will take place next week October 5 – 11, 2025. Current efforts to ban books and information held in schools, libraries, archives, and bookstores are a truth close to fiction – namely, the depiction of extreme censorship by an oppressive regime in George Orwell’s cautionary tale 1984. The Banned Books Week 2025...
The Harlem Public Library Board of Trustees will meet today, September 24th, at 4:30. The agenda was posted in last week’s paper, and can be found at the Post Office or on our website at www.harlempubliclibrary.org. This is also a reminder that there is no After School Squad this day. Tomorrow evening from 6:30-8:00, Thursday, September 25th, in partnership with the Montana Library Network, the library will be presenting a virtual program titled “Montana Native Plant Conservation Strategy” by Andrea Pipp. Please register at: http:...
Two female candidates on the Big Flat celebrated the rite of confirmation on September 14, one in Hogeland and one in Turner. Serving as lay pastor, Kirsti Cederberg led both services. Gracie Zellmer, the daughter of Elissa and Jordan Zellmer of the Hogeland Lutheran Church, was confirmed on Sunday. She expressed excitement in declaring her faith in the presence of her church and family. Zellmer's sponsors were Leslie and Robert Jaramillo. The Women of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America...
Each September 17, a symphony of bells rings out “from sea to shining sea” at 2:00 p.m. MST. The students at Turner Public Schools joined in with the ringing of their school bell in the annual celebration of the ratification of the U.S. Constitution. These Bells Across America, as they have come to be called, are not just a musical observance but a powerful symbol of America’s heritage. Participants gather to ring bells, much as the church bells of Philadelphia rang out when the U.S. Constitution was first signed at 4 p.m. EST on Septe...
September 14 marked the 211th birthday of the writing of the “The Star Spangled Banner.” Most citizens of the United States likely recall their history lessons on the song’s making. According to the Kennedy Center, many Americans were not happy when the U.S. declared war on Great Britain, starting the War of 1812. After all, the British war machine outgunned a still developing U.S. military. During the War of 1812, “U.S. forces struggled to match the British on land, sea, and the Great Lakes. Then in August 1814, British forces raided Washing...
A few things the library will be doing in the next couple of weeks: Next week, on Wednesday, September 24th, at 4:30 pm, the board of trustees will hold their monthly meeting. Please see the attached agenda. The Montana Library Network Virtual Programming, along with the library, will host Montana Native Plant Conservation Strategy by Andrea Pipp, Thursday, September 25th, from 6:30-8:00 on Zoom. To register for that program, go to: http://tinyurl.com/MTNativePlants The Book Club will read The Girl Who Wrote in Silk by Kelli Estes. The books...
Fall programs have begun at the library. Home School Hour is moving to Monday starting in October and will be from 1:00 to 2:00 p.m. Middle School Meet-up will be on Mondays from 3:45-4:45 p.m. for grades 6, 7, and 8. Tuesdays will be Story Time for ages 0-5 from 10:30-11:00 a.m. and Kidz Zone will be from 3:45-4:45 for grades 3, 4, and 5. Teen Scene is moving back to Wednesday and will be from 5:30-6:30 p.m. LEGO Club will be on Thursdays from 3:45-4:45 p.m. We will continue to have Movie Day on Fridays from 1:00-2:30 p.m. Children under 5...
Here’s your reminder that we’ve started children’s programming again. Storytime for children ages 0-5 and their parents/caregivers on Tuesdays at 10:00; After School Squad for elementary students Wednesdays at 4; and Lego Club for all ages Thursdays at 4:00. Book Club for adults will start tentatively in October. September is National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. The library has resources available including books, informational handouts, and stickers. The 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline provides judgment-free support to anyone facin...
Here are the beef and other event winners of the 2025 Blaine County Fair. Janna Snedigar Grand Champion Horse Junior Showman Claire Buck Reserve Champion Horse Junior Showman Lynley Conrad Grand Champion Horse Senior Showman Grace Buck Reserve Champion Horse Senior Showman Alexis Elias Reserve Champion Dog Junior Showman Paxton Anderson Reserve Champion Swine Junior Showman Walter Schoen Grand Champion Sheep Breeding Terminal Ram Lamb Lynley Conrad Grand Champion Sheep Breeding Overall Wool...
Montana Actors’ Theatre (MAT) invites everyone to their annual Sponsorship Drive and Gala of Friends: Denim, Black Ties, & City Lights. Formerly called Death by Chocolate, the theme for this year’s gala is “Where Montana meets Manhattan,” and the event begins on September 27 at 5:30 p.m. in St. Jude’s Gymnasium. This is a change from the originally advertised date of September 13. According to MAT’s Founder and Executive Director, Jay Pyette, “The need to change the date was unfortunate, and we sincerely try to never do that. This time, ho...
The library will be closed Monday, September 1st, in observance of Labor Day. We’ll pick back up with our children’s programming this week. Tuesdays at 10:00 is Storytime for children ages 0-5 & their parents/caregivers; Wednesdays at 4:00 is After School Squad for elementary students grades Kindergarten-5th; Thursdays at 4:00 is Lego Club for all ages. (Children under age 5 must be accompanied by an adult). Some new books featured this week: Unshaken by Shelley Shepard Gray; The Peculiar Gift of July by Ashley Ream; Our Last Resort by Cle...
A Mother By: Mary McKenzie I wake to the sound of giggles and cries My name being called by a voice half my size I struggle from bed to the happy delight Of bright-eyed angels, thrilled by my sight I step over toys all the way down the hall A drumstick, Legos, a chew ring, a doll A child on each hip and I trip on a shoe But I don’t hit the floor for it’s not something new I’m the Jill of all trades, master of one— Changing out batteries for noisemaker fun I’m the giver of bandaids, the kisser of bumps, Policer of candy and swatter of rumps I’m...
You know, Lord, A friend shared about idioms/sayings that are totally false. Take for instance the child’s idiom, ‘Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.’ That last part should be changed to ‘but words will always hurt me.’ More than several instances come to mind. Lord, remember that chap, a genuine friendly, intelligent man who was a general office worker, a helper and adviser to the public? He was well-liked and knew his product but behind the scenes, always unsure of himself. One day he confided that as a child h...
Rod Sodergren had many interests during a long retirement from Texaco. He was known around the region and beyond for his elegant HO Guage model railroad layout that took up much of his basement. From the time he got the set up completed, in 1991, to the time he began to dismantle it, November, 2009, he recorded the names of nearly 800 people who came to view his train set up. Rod died in 2016 at the age of 92. Rod Sodergren, of Chinook, never had an electric train when he was growing up. He said...
You know, Lord, some kids nearby were sharing how they’d heard how some use the Alphabet when talking so they decided to try it, so here goes. “All I want for Breakfast is some Chocolate milk Daddy, please; eventhough Fannie next door, would prefer sharing tea.” “Hey, don’t forget GOD! Heaven is His Home; He gave us Jesus who said that He was the way, the truth and the light.” “Someone’s knocking at the door; Leila, go see who that could be. Maybe it’s the neighbor boy, he likes to come over to visit.” We heard him say, ‘PLEASE, may I quic...
