Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
Serving Proudly As The Voice Of Valley County Since 1913
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Several weeks ago, during the Olympic Games, a Facebook friend weighed in on the flap over Gabby Douglas’ mistake of not putting her hand over her heart during the playing of the National Anthem. He saw it as a “WAH!” lament for some unspoken reason. She’d already apologized and said she’d thought she was showing respect by standing at attention. That apology was rejected by this friend. He still saw her lapse as a whiny, poor-me statement. I innocently commented, amongst all the others scorning her, that I hadn’t seen what they saw. I went... Full story
I commend Congressman Ryan Zinke and Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau on their civil debate earlier this week. At a time when it seems like politics is anything but cordial, I am filled with hope and impressed by the healthy civil discourse. It should be an example for the nation. These two candidates have demonstrated what American democracy is really about—open dialogue and respect. The only way America can become stronger is by working together which requires us to engage with those who might not share the same p... Full story
Over the years I’ve learned that something we all need to have to get through our life’s journey is a sense of humor. Even when we hit some serious bumps on our path, it helps to have a good sense of humor to get past them. I grew up with a Dad who liked to tease you and pull a practical joke now and then. It didn’t take me long to learn how to give a retort to his teasing. And afterward we’d both have a good, hearty laugh. An example. My brother loved adding a large slice of onion to his hamburgers. One night, when he was 16, he had a date on...
The thought came to my mind the other day just how much my generation’s lives were affected by our parents and grandparents. All of those crazy little things like ironing, even though we now have no-iron clothing, being aware of how much water we might be wasting as it runs from the faucet (remembering the days you packed it in a bucket from the well), always scraping the cooking pans and serving dishes clean, (I am not sure if that was to not waste food, or to prevent your dishwashing water from getting so soupy). Never throw away any f... Full story
Oh yeah, you see water all around the United States in our rivers, lakes and streams and think “How can we ever run out of drinking water?” Stay tuned and I’ll give you a tutorial on our diminishing water supply right after a word from our sponsor How Long’s sake’ batter dipped prairie slugs on the half shell. Yum Yumm, and available at your favorite grocery store’s freezer department. Wrapped in either rice paper or corn husks. Your choice. Thanks for stickin’ around. Now to the water situation. The globe is 75 percent covered with water. H... Full story
Whenever I visit rural Montana and see the public schools at the center of each town, I am immediately reminded of Montana’s strong public education system and how important it is to the success and livelihoods of our rural communities. I strongly believe a good public education is one of this nation’s great equalizers. Whether you live in Glasgow, Scobey, Billings, or Missoula, a public education gives every Montana student an equal opportunity at building a successful future and being part of our robust economy. As Governor, I’ve made it a... Full story
One philosophy of the homesteaders was, “Don’t buy it if you can make do with a satisfactory substitute.” Resourcefulness became second nature to these Montana settlers, and the Kienitz family was no exception to the rule. For example: a nearby pit of sand became the source of their house insulation. It proved to be an excellent insulating material for their modest home, keeping it cool during torrid summer days and helping to warm it against the sub-zero temperatures prevalent in northern Montana. Lizzie’s job came next; painting the interio... Full story
Harvest is upon us and we see combines and semi trucks any time we venture away from our city environment. This makes me think of a picture I have of a “grain train” heading to Glasgow from the North Country. The picture was actually taken about 10 miles north of Glasgow in the early 1920s. I would guess these people were in the second or third day of their trip. This stopping place had a barn that would hold 100 head of horses. The total number of horses on this particular run was listed at 194, and the total bushels of grain were 5,811. Mos... Full story
Fahlgren Correction Note: The Courier regrets any misrepresentations resulting from a poor quality recording and apparent miscommunication between candidate Fahlgren and reporter Dane Osen. I was surprised and disappointed that my interview was presented without the other two candidates. My understanding was all the candidates were to be asked the same questions and my assumption was all would appear in same issue so as not to allow anyone to benefit. At the least there should have been a lead-in saying this is the first of three interviews... Full story
As I harvest fresh vegetables from my garden, I travel back in time to when I was growing up. I can remember as a 3-year-old watching my grandfather push a one-share hand plow tilling up our garden space, which was quite large. I would walk behind him picking out any rocks he turned up and putting them in a pile. From then on I was in the garden every year assisting with the planting, the weeding and picking the vegetables. When I was 6 years old, Mom said I was big enough to help with canning. And so I began washing the vegetables and fruit... Full story
Note: Superintendent Juneau will debate Congressman Ryan Zinke at Frazer School on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public. There is no greater beauty than the unspoiled view of Montana’s open spaces. From the Bears Paw Mountains to the clean and clear Blackfoot River, our prairies, forests and streams stretch from one edge of the horizon to the other. Montana is home to the last best places on Earth. It’s what sets Big Sky country apart from anywhere else. But beyond their breathtaking beauty, Montana’s public lands are a sourc... Full story
Some young men’s thoughts turn to love in the spring, but for Otto Kienitz, during this period of his life, his thoughts centered on the “Land of Opportunity,” which was the vast prairie land of Montana. It was none too soon, as three years before, this territory was thrown open to homesteading and the days of the one-open range were quickly drawing to a close. Anyway you look at it, this planned adventure, from Minnesota to Montana, took the courage of rugged individuals. The succeeding years proved this definitely was the “survival of the... Full story
Note: Congressman Zinke will debate House candidate and State Superintendent of Public Instruction Denise Juneau at Frazer School on Aug. 29 at 7 p.m. The event is open to the public. A couple weeks ago, my good friend, Congressman Trey Gowdy visited Montana. I shared with him the history of our logging and mining industries. Explained how agriculture is not monolithic in our state, and talked about tourism in the west and coal, oil and gas in the east. So after about 450 miles of windshield time, around 1:30 a.m. he said to me, “Ryan, M...
The past few weeks have been rough, but through it all there were some bright spots, [like] receiving a surprise visit from a daughter and her son. When I asked her what brought them to Nashua, my daughter replied, “You.” My 4-year-old granddaughter brought me wildflowers on several days. And there was a day when I saw countless butterflies in my yard and garden. I had to smile as I watch them fluttering from one spot to another. Because I was unable to make it to church for several Sundays, my son brought me Communion. His doing that helped me... Full story
I tend to get a tad bit radical in my thinking from time to time. It helps clear my brain. Now, for the benefit of my 18.3441 readers, I would expound my theory as to why I think Trump is the Chump. I’ll have more on that later in the broadcast, but first a word from the friendly folks at Mother Mabel’s Merry Matrimonial Manor and A-One Crematorium conveniently housed in the same building as Jakes Juicy Jackalope Jerky. Our motto is “Only the best road kill is good enough to be called Jakes.” Strange things happen in this country that are somet...
Songwriters have an allure with the law. See, for instance: “I Fought the Law” by the Clash, “Lawyers, Guns, and Money” by Warren Zevon, “End of the Innocence” by Don Henley and Bruce Hornsby, “This Side of the Law” by Johnny Cash, and “Alice’s Restaurant” by Arlo Guthrie. There are many more songs about the law. This crossed my mind when one of my neighbors asked me recently about the “rule of law” and what that meant exactly. Of course, this was in the context of the decision not to prosecute Hillary Clinton for her email security lapses. Wh... Full story
I am trying to remember something of interest to ramble on about, but after all of these years it is getting harder and harder. Maybe I have forgotten more than I remember. However, I was thinking about sauerkraut the other day. I know that a select few out there still make their own sauerkraut, but this is for those that haven’t given any thought to how it is made. I have a vintage cabbage or slaw cutter stored in my basement, just in case I might need it someday, Ha! Anyway, I think these were used by many homemakers around this time of y... Full story
So what does the 2nd Amendment say? “A Well Regulated Militia Being Necessary To The Security Of A Free State, The Right Of The People To Keep And Bear Arms, Shall Not Be Infringed.” (Pretty specific words.) Remember we had just fought a war against the militia and our new government gave the people the right to keep and bear arms. It didn’t give that right to the militia, in case the people needed to defend itself against the militia. The Bill of Rights gave us rights that can’t be taken away. But Congress and the Courts seem to be working... Full story
You will find as you leave the country road and turn onto the winding prairie trail, you are leaving the noisy distractions of modern life behind. The tall toothpick-like sentinels bringing electricity and phone service to the widespread ranches and farms, do not turn into this rustic home on the knoll, a mile to the west. This is entirely by choice, not necessity. Visualize, if you will, an east window framed prettily by flowering plants with the early morning sunlight filtering through the lacy leaves of the Virginia Creeper growing... Full story
I lost a friend recently. A four-legged friend whose ears had been lost due to frost. I met her at the home of Sheila and Perry Vosen. After not having a cat for about six years, I decided I wanted one. Sheila put a cat in my arms. When I went to hand her back to Sheila, she wouldn’t let go of me. So I took her home and named her Holly since I’d gotten her two weeks before Christmas. It took her a few days to become accustomed to me and I to her. Soon she was jumping up on my bed at night and curling up next to my side. Before long she and I h... Full story
With the current political environment I am certain that, like myself, some of us just want to have a choice in our country’s future that doesn’t involve gritting our teeth or plain just staying home. Although I am sure there is plenty I will say about our political system, what I intend is to make the case for liberty, and to shamelessly promote the Libertarian Party. Because America utilizes an archaic republic voting platform and an electoral college, the individual vote is often viewed as worthless. In Montana for example we take to the...
I got the mail today. A couple of bills. A greeting card. Some catalogs. A newspaper. One package that my wife grabbed right away. (Wonder what that was?) Lately, it occurs to me how completely I take for granted that I will get the mail tomorrow. I’ve had my share of gripes about the mail. As president of the National Newspaper Association, I have fielded our community newspaper members’ postal concerns all year. The mail is slower than it used to be. The U.S. Postal Service slowed it down by a day, at least, because of financial pro...
It’s been less than a year since I first announced a potential run for Governor of the Great State of Montana. Since that time, I’ve driven over 46,000 miles across the state, meeting with Montanans in cafés from Ekalaka to Eureka and seeing my own bed only once or twice a week. One of the greatest joys has been staying with folks in their homes, rather than staying in hotels, because it has allowed me to really connect with families all across the state. During one visit, a young man in the Flathead told me his story. He was the first in his f...
I’m going to go all feminist here, and complain about people who are super critical of a certain presidential hopeful for her clothing choices. I’ve seen too many memes jumping on Hillary for her clothing. The color isn’t right. It isn’t flattering. The cut is wrong. It costs too much. It looks cheap. Where are the memes jumping on Donald for his suits? Oh, wait, there were those way back about his hair and his skin color. People, including other women, think that because a woman chooses to be in the public eye (politically, athleti... Full story
Our students deserve the very best education Montana can offer, no matter if they are in Great Falls or Glasgow. Unfortunately, the needs of urban population centers often get much more attention when politicians gather in Helena, while rural schools are all but ignored. That won’t happen under my watch. I’m running for State Superintendent of Public Instruction to serve all of our students, realizing that education is just as important in smaller towns as it is in our bigger cities. Rural communities face unique challenges, but the opp...
