It’s time to dust off those items collected throughout the years for display in a few “pop-up” exhibits at the Montana Historical Society in Helena, Montana. For a few hours on Saturdays this spring – March 12, April 9, and May 14 – MHS will offer space for those special collections to be shared with the community. We’re searching for everything from telephones to toys, menus to matchboxes, or bonnets to bandanas. Each collector will be provided a six-foot table on which to display their collection (or a portion of their collections), and each...
Snowball returns to Seeley Lake
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Mar 3, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – After two years, the Seeley Lake Driftrider's returned to the Seeley Lake Community Hall for their annual Snowball Banquet and fundraiser Feb. 26. Attendees enjoyed the Fiesta with dinner catered by the new Casa Caro Mexican Restaurant, games, raffles, a dessert dash and live auction. The fun continued Sunday for the 35-mile annual Fun Run from the West Side Trailhead. Driftrider's President Bill Swain said the event went smoothly and they liked being back in the Community Hall. In...
20/35 Year Look Back
Mar 3, 2022
In celebration of 35 years of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder, each week we will run parts of articles that appeared in the issue 35 years ago and 20 years ago. The entire issue will be uploaded to our website seeleylake.com for you to enjoy. We hope you will enjoy the journey with us as we follow our community through the past 35 years as documented by the Pathfinder. 35 years ago: March 5, 1987 issue Car seats, seatbelts can save lives If you have any doubts about the value of car seats for childre...
Community Briefs
Mar 3, 2022
Missoula BLM plans controlled burns near Potomac MISSOULA – The Bureau of Land Management’s Missoula Field Office is preparing to burn landing piles associated with several timber sales and stewardship projects this spring in the Lower Blackfoot River area. The piles are near Belmont Creek and Highway 200 near Potomac. Smoke may be visible periodically starting in early March. When weather and fuel conditions are favorable, multiple landing piles will be lit and each of these piles will produce smoke for several days. These landing piles are...
Jette went from '58 Ford to patrol car
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SWAN VALLEY – In 1957 Dennis Jette was working road construction, helping to build the Condon section of Highway 83. By the following year he was making enough money to get a new 1958 Ford Convertible with a retractable top. He only had one payment left to make on the car when he got drafted into the United States Army in 1959. Knowing he wouldn't be able to make that last payment, Jette went to Missoula to talk to the dealer who had sold him the car. The two worked out an agreement. The dealer...
SWAN VALLEY - Attendees at the Missoula Children's Theatre production of "Johnny Appleseed" Feb. 18 got to see first hand the fruitful career of Johnny Appleseed. Swan Valley students sang and danced their way across the west spreading apple seeds, kindness and sharing how much fun apples can be. Johnny Appleseed (played by Lilly Boyd) was not always called by his famous name. In fact, as the story goes, the young Johnny Chapman was given the nickname "Appleseed" after sharing seedlings for...
Heritage Keeper nominations sought
Montana Historical Society|Feb 24, 2022
The Montana Historical Society is seeking nominations for people and organizations with exemplary commitment to identifying and preserving local historical and cultural heritage. Nomination deadline is April 1. Up to three people or organizations will be honored by the MHS Board of Trustees for the Heritage Keeper Awards. An additional award, The Montana Heritage Guardian Award, given out only on special merit, recognizes the accomplishments of one of the Heritage Keeper Award nominees with a record of outstanding accomplishments. To qualify,...
Common values shared at "Tell Your Story"
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – More than 25 people gathered for the second "Tell us your story – Why did you come here and why do you stay?" Wednesday, Feb. 16. Six community members shared their stories and highlighted those values they hold dear and how they are exemplified here. "Every story is unique and every story is important because it is those stories that make up what this valley is all about," said Organizer Tom Beers. "People come from different places, different backgrounds, different styles so we...
Kurt's Polaris named MSA 2021 Dealer of the Year
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – The Montana Snowmobile Association recognized Kurt's Polaris 2021 Snowmobile Dealer of the Year at the MSA Awards Dinner and Banquet Feb. 5. This is the second time Kurt's Polaris has received the award. Owner Curtis Friede said it is a testament to his team and putting the customer first. "It is never a perfect situation, it is just a situation, so you gotta deal with it," Friede said. "They just keep struggling forward and keep fighting for everything and try and take care of t...
Housing assistance, proposed Forest Service projects, Highway 83 construction top discussion
Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SEELEY LAKE - The Seeley Lake Community Council hosted presentations at its Feb. 14 meeting on a wide range of topics including landlord and rental assistance, upcoming United States Forest Service proposed projects and reconstructing Highway 83 around Salmon Lake. Missoula County Landlord Liaison Alex Ramsing presented on his job and some of the classes and services Homeword offers to landlords, renters and homebuyers. Homeword is a Missoula-based nonprofit that works to strengthen Montana communities by teaching homebuyer education and...
Board approves lease with Community Center, bid for paving parking area
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
POTOMAC – At their Feb. 14 meeting, the Potomac School Board approved their lease with the Potomac Greenough Community Center (PGCC) and the bid with Shadow Asphalt to pave the parking areas behind and in front of the school to meet ADA compliance. In other business, they received an update regarding the eighth grade trip fundraising and approved several contracts for next year. Chair Dr. Courtney Hathaway said much of the lease was the same with the PGCC. She highlighted some of the changes and explained why some of the cost increased. H...
"The Play" highlights talents on and off the stage
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – "This is the very first of Oskar Murphy productions," Playwright and Seeley-Swan High School Senior Oskar Murphy said about "The Play." It will be performed Thursday, March 3 at 6:45 p.m. by the Seeley-Swan High School Drama Class. Attendees will watch this original script unfold as a mad king attempts to control and dominate the princess. "The Play's" theme is about a woman overcoming adversity. "I just liked the story of being told you can't do something, and knowing something i...
MCPS Superintendent Watson resigns effective June 30
Missoula County Public Schools|Feb 24, 2022
MISSOULA - Missoula County Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rob Watson announced Feb. 18, that he is leaving his position with MCPS effective June 30. “It is with mixed emotions that I share this decision with you today,” Dr. Watson told District education leaders Friday morning. “My time with MCPS, including my former time as a principal, has been some of the most rewarding of my 29 years in public education. I will leave with many happy memories and proud to have served with each of you.” While he is resigning his formal role in public educa...
CU at the new Youth Hub
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – "I have a desire to create the opportunity for the kids to go 'What do I believe?'" said Bryce Smith, youth leader for Christ Unrivaled. "If this is it, then where does that take me?" Bryce and his wife Stefanie are looking forward to welcoming area youth in grades six through 12 to the new Christ Unrivaled Youth Hub Wednesday nights from 6 – 8 p.m. in the basem*nt of Faith Chapel, 3260 Highway 83. Their mission at the Youth Hub is for the youth of the community to learn their iden...
Vehicle reservations for Glacier National Park available March 2
Glacier Country Tourism|Feb 24, 2022
WEST GLACIER - Glacier National Park announced that vehicle reservations, formerly known as “tickets,” required to access Going-to-the-Sun Road (GTSR) and the North Fork area via the Polebridge Entrance Station from May 27 – Sept. 11 will become available on Recreation.gov starting March 2 at 8 a.m. Other areas of the park can be accessed without a reservation. This will be the second year of the reservation system pilot, designed to manage high traffic volumes within the park and avoid gridlock. Glacier National Park is consistently the 10th...
Levy updates, ambulance rates and hiring top discussion
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – At their Feb. 15 meeting, Seeley Lake Fire Chief Dave Lane gave the Fire Board an update regarding the levy that was discussed last summer, proposed nearly doubling the ambulance rates to help offer a better salary for a full-time firefighter/paramedic and addressed the public concern regarding properties that could be a fire hazard. He also addressed comments made by the public at last month’s meeting that he felt were inaccurate. The board took no action on the increased ambulance fees or paramedic position. They asked for mor...
Fully embracing teaching the Ovando way
Jean Pocha, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
OVANDO - Nathan Graves came to Montana for its beauty and its education. He began his teaching career in the fall of 2021 with the fourth - eighth grade classroom in Ovando School. As an avid learner himself, Graves is excited for the chance to instill the want and need to learn in young people. Graves, originally from Illinois, was attracted to the beautiful campus and the Environmental Studies program at the University of Montana. Through working in the Missoula YMCA summer camp programs, he...
Board puts out Request for Qualifications
Nathan Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 24, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – The Seeley Lake Sewer District Board moved forward with advertising a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) and discussed water testing and an increase in eDNA testing at its Feb. 17 meeting. At last month’s meeting the Board discussed whether to send out a RFQ or Request for Proposals (RFP). District Manager Bill Decker wrote up a proposed RFQ for the Board to consider at this meeting. Director Cheri Thompson said the proposed RFQ was not specific enough and wanted specific details about the District in it instead of the entire com...
20/35 Year Look Back
Feb 24, 2022
In celebration of 35 years of the Seeley Swan Pathfinder, each week we will run parts of articles that appeared in the issue 35 years ago and 20 years ago. The entire issue will be uploaded to our website seeleylake.com for you to enjoy. We hope you will enjoy the journey with us as we follow our community through the past 35 years as documented by the Pathfinder. 35 years ago: February 26, 1987 issue Letter to the Editor: Mt. Henry EIS The general enthusiasm for building a ski resort on Mt....
Community Briefs
Feb 24, 2022
Snowshoe Hike, Feb. 27 SEELEY LAKE – Join Clearwater Resource Council and USFS Wildlife Biologist Scott Tomson on a two- to three-mile snowshoe Feb. 27 from 12:30 – 3:30 p.m. Participants will learn about winter ecology and identify tracks along the way. Please bring your own snowshoes and leave dogs at home. Please RSVP at http://crcmt.org/registration Updates will be posted on Facebook and sent via email to those who register. For more details visit crcmt.org or contact Amanda at crc.watshd.coord@crcmt.org/ 412-956-0208 Weekly COVID-19 upd...
Royer wins sixth Race to the Sky
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 17, 2022
With a slushy start and temperatures in the high 40s Saturday, Feb. 12, Seeley Lake musher Jessie Royer took an early lead in the 300-mile Race to the Sky and never gave it up. First to all the check points, she returned to Lincoln Monday night just after 6:30 p.m., more than four and half hours ahead of second place Josi Thyr of Olney, Montana. Rounding out the top three was Cindy Gallea, a musher who started her racing career in Seeley Lake in 1991 and now lives in Wykoff, Minnesota. Gallea...
Fire District election to be held, write-in deadline Feb. 28
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 17, 2022
With several special district governing board positions up for election within Missoula County in Potomac, Seeley Lake and the Swan Valley, the Seeley Lake Rural Fire District Board is the only election currently on the ballot for the May 3 election. However, write-in candidates can still file until Feb. 28 at 5 p.m. A write-in candidate could trigger an election if there are more candidates than vacancies. The School District candidate filing closes March 24 at 5 p.m. There are several positions up for election at Seeley Lake Elementary, Swan...
The story in the tracks
Jean Pocha, Pathfinder|Feb 17, 2022
SWAN VALLEY - Even though three inches of fresh snow covered the ground, it looked like a crime scene. Spots of blood and clumps of hair were scattered over the hillside. Footsteps through the snow revealed stomach contents. Luke Lamar Swan Valley Connections (SVC) Conservation Director told the Wildlife Tracks and Signs class he saw an eagle and ravens flying in this area when he was scouting for tracks in the early morning Feb. 5. This is the big picture view that can start a tracking...
Pathfinder welcomes Helmville/Ovando reporter
Andi Bourne, Pathfinder|Feb 17, 2022
HELMVILLE - "I think supporting and encouraging the life and activities in our communities helps them to be stronger and to be more vibrant," said Jean Pocha, the Seeley Swan Pathfinder's newest reporter. "It is my hope to be a part of that." Pocha has lived in Helmville for more than 31 years. She looks forward to developing interesting stories that capture the happenings and people of the Ovando and Helmville communities. Since a young girl, Pocha said she has always taken notes and been a...
Euphoniums and tubas alternate solemn and big bop sounds
Betty Vanderwielen, Pathfinder|Feb 17, 2022
SEELEY LAKE – The overhead stage lights of the Seeley-Swan High School auditorium bounced off the bronze cone-shaped bells of seven tubas and five euphoniums Feb. 13 as University of Montana Euphonium and Tuba Consort performed for a crowd of more than 40 people (on Super Bowl Sunday!). According to Conductor Benedict Kirby, a tuba has a five-octave range, starting lower than the sound a piano can play. Its smaller cousin, the euphonium, starts an octave higher and has a four and a half o...
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