A Look Back at 2022, Part 1
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Just a few days remain in 2022, the holidays are bringing smiles to people's faces and the hopes of 2023 being a bit better give some folks a reason to have hope. 2022 certainly had its ups and downs, like any year, but in Blaine County a lot of good things happened, and the Blaine County Journal was honored to share those happenings with our readers. Donna Miller does a fantastic job highlighting the schools, arts and hardworking people of Blaine County and is a spectacular writer. Steve Edwards is a masterful storyteller that always seems to find unique and interesting stories to write about. Sports and community events are always fun to cover, and we did that. Looking back at what we covered each year is always fun. This week we'll look back on stories involving new businesses, individuals who were honored and other community events. These are not ranked in any order, just a reminder of what good happened in 2022
Chinook Automotive opened for business in January. After working in dealerships for 19 years, Jason and his wife Jennifer (Jamieson) Metcalf decided to take the risk of business ownership and opened Chinook Automotive. The Metcalfs began offering automotive repairs, routine service work, diagnostics, and vehicle maintenance on January 17. In another business move, All Dahl'd Up made the announcement on January 4 that the store location would be moving in preparation for expansion into a new building in March. Sage and Spur Mercantile also opened for business and later added new signage to its store front. Sage N Spur Mercantile occupies the previous Hart of the West building. The storefront of the Sage and Spur Mercantile near Harlem is sporting a new sign. According to co-owner Raegan Bell, the artistry belongs to her husband, Vince Bell, who will be adding some additional elements to the sign.
Old buildings became home to new operations including One Health Sweet in Harlem. Fetter Construction has transformed the once bowling alley and Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) Club into a home for Milk River Pharmacy and One Health Sweet-Harlem. Laura and Bryce Weinheimer took over operations of the Mint Bar and the MJW block following the purchase of the property from long time owners Jill and Don Leo. In the time since they have gotten to better know their customers, and held a Grand Re-Opening of the long-standing watering hole with a 'Great Gatsby' themed celebration.
The Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame and Western Heritage Center (MCHF & WHC) announced their 14th class of inductions into the Montana Cowboy Hall of Fame. Among those that were recognized were Living Inductee: John W. "Jack" Young of Lloyd and Legacy Inductees: Jerome "Jerry" and Flora Kearful, formerly of Chinook. The MHSA Hall of Fame recognized the son of longtime centurion Virginia Olson was on hand as her son Duane was finally honored for his enshrinement into the Montana High School Association (MHSA) Athletic Hall of Fame. The ceremony was held Thursday, February 3 at the Big Sandy High School Gymnasium. Duane became the Pioneers very first inductee into the MHSA Athletic Hall of Fame.
The Chinook Senior Center presented its highest honor. Making up for missed opportunities, the Chinook Senior Citizens' Center Board named their 2021 Senior of the Year (SOY): Elaine Campbell. Both Campbell and the 2020 SOY, Roger Fischer, were honored in an Open House Luncheon at the Chinook Senior Citizens' Center on April 22.
The Governor was in Harlem for a significant presentation. National Vietnam War Veterans Day was recognized on March 29 with special pinning ceremonies taking place across the country. However, for Vietnam Veteran Don Richman, his pinning ceremony occurred on April 28 in Harlem. A few friends and family gathered at the Richman Insurance building on that Thursday afternoon to witness Governor Greg Gianforte pin Richman's lapel with an emblem of the nation's gratitude.
On May 5, Sheena Wortman, who teaches at Bear Paw Elementary School (BPES) in South Blaine County, learned she had won a Rural Teacher Appreciation Award from Hill County Electric Cooperative. A $1500 cash prize accompanied the award. Turner Hogeland Lions were proud to announce the award Lion of the Year and Lifetime Membership. The award was presented to the member who almost singlehandedly was responsible for founding the new Turner Hogeland Lions, Lennie Erickson. In 1984 he instigated the forming of the second Lions Club on the Big Flat. The first club lasted 30 years and in two years we will have been organized for 40 years. We pride ourselves in being a community club that really acts as a service club. Almost all of our activities are for the Big Flat.
In the final month of the year an ANC Student was recognized. Derek Bell, a 2016 graduate of Chinook High School and an enrolled student of Aaniiih Nakoda College (ANC), was recently selected as the winner of the Montana Campus Compact - Montana Athletes in Service Award 2022 for ANC.
Stay tuned for next week's paper as we continue with part two of "A look back at 2022".
