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Articles written by Jennifer Curran


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  • REUNION OF FLIGHT

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 20, 2023

    It's not every day that one gets the chance to see the iconic Miss Montana DC-3 plane fly across the skies, let alone someone jumping out of the plane. That's just what happened at the second annual Smokejumper Cow Pasture Camp-out last Friday at the Mountain Meadows Ranch in Trout Creek. Miss Montana pilot Art Dykstra flew the 75-year-old plane through mostly blue sky with more than 100 onlookers waiting in anticipation as jumper Al Charters dropped from the plane at 1,200 feet. He soared throu...

  • Question of the week: What do you think of the construction on Main Street?

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 20, 2023

    Cheryl Guibert, Thompson Falls - “I’m extremely concerned how it’s hurting the business incomes. It would have been a much better plan to do this work at night.” Julissa Bonney, Thompson Falls - “It’s affected us a lot.” Mike Shear, Thompson Falls - “I think it’s totally unnecessary.” Jim Krogman, Thompson Falls - “I love it.” Alivia McCormick, Thompson Falls - “It’s a pain in the butt, but it’s going to make things better in the long run.” Marlaina Mohr, Thompson Falls - “I’m grateful for accessibility for all. Put on your patience....

  • Kids level up in music program

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 20, 2023

    Earning karate belts isn't just for martial arts, at least not for the kids who are earning their belts at the Recorder Karate Class at the Whitepine Grange in Whitepine over a multi-week summer class. A grant from the Mockingbird Foundation made it possible for kids ages 7-14 to participate in a new tradition for aspiring young musicians in the area. A dozen budding musicians from all different levels are partaking in the class that is taught by former Trout Creek music teacher Taylor Etienne...

  • Baxter sisters on a roll

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 20, 2023

    It was the talented duo of Megan and Ellie Baxter who earned them the low team gross score of 98 and Ruth Kronfuss and Penny Beckman who clutched the low combined net of 67 in the ladie’s league play at River’s Bend last week. Steadfast Ellie Baxter, who finished third at the state high school tournament earlier this year, held the low individual gross score of 48 while the poise of Sharon Pound won her the low individual score of 29 and the long drive on No. 18. Lana Nolen stood resolute with closest to pin in 4 on No. 11, closest to pin on No...

  • Quik Stop on the go in league

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 20, 2023

    It was the Noxon Quik Stop team of Bruce Haflich, Shawn Wilkinson, Arthur Potts and Scott Garr that called the shots at River’s Bend as they roped in the low team gross round of 185 in last Tuesdays men's league. Bill Nolen, Howard Morkert, Mike Tessier and Mike Lilly of NLC Inc. swooped in for the low team net score of 148. Grabbing the low individual gross score was Scott Pardee with 40 and with the low individual net was Scott Garr with 31. Potts stood his ground with closest to pin on No. 5 and sailed the long putt on No. 6 while Tessier w...

  • Highlead toasts Wednesday win

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 20, 2023

    Hats off to the Highlead team of Jesse Mosher, Chadd Laws, John Mosher and Steve Fairbank who anchored the low team gross score of 170 at River’s Bend in the men’s league play last Wednesday. It was Whitefish Credit Unions Shaun Morgan, Wally Gibe, Randy Hojem and Chuck Manry in the spotlight for the low team net score of 138. Paul Flemmer won the low individual gross score with a 37 while Bill Nolen out-maneuvered the competition for the low individual net win of 31. Doubling his claims was Ricky Hagedorn with closest to pin on No. 8 and the...

  • Jan, Tori lead ladies league

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 13, 2023

    It was Jan Thompson and Tori Helvey’s heyday on Thursday at River’s Bend for the low team gross of 104 and Kim Sparks and Chris Kelly who snatched up the low team net of 68. Kelly outmaneuvered again for the low individual net score of 28 and the long drive on No. 9 and Lana Nolen stole the low individual gross with a 47. Thompson was on the mark with the closest to pin in 4 on No. 2 while Chris Gross captured the pin on No. 5. Pam Peters seized a double with her long putt on No. 6 and closest to pin on No. 8. Barb Petteys honed in on the lon...

  • T. Falls kicks off holiday celebrations

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 6, 2023

    No fireworks needed for this Independence Day celebration. With colorful displays of craftsmanship, artistry, musical talents and activities; there was something there for everyone. It was the third annual Independence Day festival at Ainsworth Park on Saturday, put on by Thompson Falls Main Street. The first was in 2021 just a week after the park opened. A beautiful sunny day was only interrupted slightly by wind gusts that sent a few of the vendors' canopies and materials flying. Community...

  • Question of the week

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 6, 2023

    Delon Potter, Lolo - “Get out on the water before daybreak to fish and take an afternoon nap.” Elizabeth Fortier, Washington - “Don’t forget the bug spray.” Robin Houston, Missouri - “Come to this campground!” Mark Houston, Missouri - “Plan ahead to get a campsite.” Doug Gagner, Missoula - “Always have a little electricity.” Melissa Pardini, Trout Creek - “Don’t forget the kids!...

  • FWP discusses proposals

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 6, 2023

    It’s that time of the year for the issues at hand regarding new regulations placed on the table to be discussed. Representatives from Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks (FWP) met with the public last week to discuss the season setting process. The discussion was led by Neil Anderson, Region 1 Wildlife Manager, and Zachary Farley, the local wildlife biologist last Tuesday at Thompson Falls High School. Anderson said that every two years they look at the regulations to see if they need to make changes. He stated that they need more time to get regula...

  • Baxter, Thilmony sweep the swings

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 6, 2023

    It was synchronized swinging with partners Megan Baxter and Doree Thilmony as they captured the low team gross of 92 in ladies league at River’s Bend. Baxter couldn’t be stopped, grabbing the low individual gross of 45 and plunging the long putt on No. 3. Thilmony snatched the low individual net of 31. Teaming up for the low team net was Danice Toyias and Kristy Beaty with a 67. Tori Helvey scooped up the pins with the closest to pin in 4 on No. 2, closest to pin on No. 5 and on No. 8. Kayla Mosher sunk in the long putt on No. 6 with the lon...

  • Sharks devour the competition

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 6, 2023

    It was Sharks Auto Detail’s Dave Garr, Russ Wood, Charlie Hooten and Rusty Haggard who claimed the greens on Tuesday at River’s Bend for the low team gross win of 180. Custom Ventures Scott Pardee, Craig LeCoure, Marcus Thomas and Paul Flemmer honed in to take the low team net win of 142. Garr’s score of 39 took the cake for the low individual gross while Haggard's 29 snatched him the low individual net score. Closest to pin in 3 on No. 2 was Howard Morkert, Ricky Hagedorn took the pin on No. 5 and Russ Wood pinned on No. 8 while also seizi...

  • All greens for local banks

    Jennifer Curran|Jul 6, 2023

    It was a green acre hold-up last Wednesday at River’s Bend as the First Security Bank crew of Ben Mummert, Michael Scharfe, Bill Nolen and Mike Thilmony stole the low team gross win of 175 and stuffing the low team net in the bag was the Whitefish Credit Union gang of Rusty Sharp, Randy Hojem, Shawn Morgan and Chuck Manry with 148. With a 38 Mummert was able to shoot the low individual gross and coming in wise was Ryan Craven with the low net of 35. John Owens launched the long putt on No. 3 while Mummert cashed out on No. 6. Closest to pin o...

  • Hawks learn hoop skills

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 29, 2023

    Eighty kids from grades K-8 enjoyed a week long Blue Hawk Basketball Summer Camp at the high school last week. Varsity men's basketball Coach Jake Mickelson led the camp along with his wife Lisa Mickelson, who teaches music at the elementary school and junior high. Mickelson said that he couldn't have done it without the high school students who pitched in to help. "It was good for them and they got a glimpse of what it is like to be a coach," he said. Blue Hawk high school students and recent...

  • Block party draws crowd to T. Falls

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 29, 2023

    High energy of all ages rocked the alley way turned block party next to the HighLead Saloon, Smokehouse and Casino last Friday in Thompson Falls. It was an atmosphere of kids having fun with hula hoops, bubbles, chalk and corn hole games, music from Rad Fondue, a beer garden for adults to enjoy and the aroma of smoked food filling the air. Members of the band Rad Fondue, Larry Laws, Gene Repp, Pat Coast and Doug Lee got the audience up and dancing to songs like "Amie" and "Moondance." They said...

  • Event aimed to inform, inspire public

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 29, 2023

    It was a day filled with community members both involved in community efforts and those wanting to learn how to get involved at the Redemption Ranch, off Blue Slide road, last Saturday. Pastor Brenda Crowe along with husband Scott Crowe sponsored "Montana for God and Country" at their home and place of worship. “The mission of the event was to inform and inspire people to get involved in bringing our county, state and country back under the rule of our Constitutions,” said Brenda Crowe. The event started with a barbecue, along with socializing...

  • Hill Gang drives into summer

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 29, 2023

    The Over the Hill Gang played their first official game of summer at River’s Bend last Monday, with Dave Garr shooting the low gross men’s round with 41 and Scott Garr taking the low net of 32. Barb Wooden shot a whopping low net of 33 for the women. The long putts were hailed by Scott Garr on No. 11, Gary Thompson on No. 12, Dave Petteys on No. 13 and No. 15, Shawn Wilkinson on No. 16, John Torres on No. 17 and Doug Deck on No. 18. Closest to pin was Jens Jantzen on No.10, Ed Mack on No. 14 and Shawn Wilkenson on No. 17. Dave Garr swung the...

  • Jeanne, Tina swoop in

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 29, 2023

    It was Tina Wheeler and Jeanne Holleran who swooped up the low team gross score of 105 and Kelly Wheeler and Natalie Roberts with the low team net of 71 in the ladies league play at River’s Bend. Then it was Tina Wheeler again who picked up the low individual gross of 46 and was good for a chip in on No. 11 and Kelly Wheeler who strategized for the low individual net of 33 and swung the longest drive on No. 18. Closest to pin in four on No. 11 was Jan Thompson, Healy Ramey on No. 14 and Lana Nolen snatched the pin on No. 17 and sank the long p...

  • Cycling group travels country raising funds

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 22, 2023

    In what is called the Journey of Hope, a group of college students is volunteering to bicycle across the country this summer to raise money for people with disabilities. The Phi Kappa Phi students started in Seattle ten days before making a pit stop at the Thompson Falls High School last Friday. Three teams kicked off the event on the west coast and will have ridden a combined 12,000 miles by the time they end on the capitol lawn in Washington, D.C., in mid-August. Along the way, the cyclists sp...

  • Cougars end season at divisional

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 22, 2023

    Although it was a 12-8 bittersweet loss for the Noxon Cougars against the Columbia Falls Hills Brothers last Tuesday in Libby, what a spectacular season for the Cougars. The fact that the rural team made up of Noxon, Trout Creek and Heron boys ages 13-15 made it so far despite facing bigger schools shows what these boys are made of, only losing by four points to the second seed Hills Brothers team in the Babe Ruth Glacier League. Coach Wesley Tucker said that a major factor to the loss was that...

  • Local kids learn bike safety

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 15, 2023

    Kids of all ages dashed around on their bicycles at the first-ever kids bike safety event at Ainsworth Park on Saturday. Gleeful delight filled the air as kids had fun learning about and showing off their bicycle skills, with parents coming away with a little peace of mind. The Sanders County Health Department spearheaded the event. Director Debbie Lang said she wanted to create safety for young bicyclists in the community. Participants took a written pre-test about the rules of the road,...

  • Question of the week

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 15, 2023

    Sandy Thompson, Plains - “How to fix a carburetor and sharpen knives.” Lance Hartshorn, Hot Springs - “Hide and watch.” Sandy Davis, Noxon - “If you're going to start it, finish it.” Jay Mock, Sandpoint - “How to make my own cooking utensils.” Shawna Thornton, Thompson Falls - “Dream big.” Judy Foster, Plains - “Accept people at face value until they prove otherwise....

  • MT's Best Builders hammers the win

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 15, 2023

    It was Montana’s Best Builders who seized the win in Tuesday’s league play at Rivers Bend as Sean Kelly, Nathan Snead, Doug Czerwinski and Mike Thilmony bonded for the low team gross of 170. Internet Kitchen golfers Doug Fisher, Carter Meyer, David Reedy and Zack Hannum took the cake for the low team net of 134. Scott Pardee grabbed the low individual gross score of 40, and Howard Morkert got 32 strokes for the low individual net. Morkert drove the long drive on No. 9, with Marcus Thomas achieving the long putt on No. 3 and Meyer hitting the...

  • Edward Jones comes out on top in league

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 15, 2023

    The Edward Jones team of Dan Kier, Ed Mack, Bruce Sterling and Jesse Mack was the victor in Wednesday's league tournament at Rivers Bend with a 168, and for the low team net it was Mountain Plains LLC of Ron Beaty, Paul Flemmer, Rick Hagedorn and Doug Robichaud that climbed to the top with a score of 145. Mike Normandin snatched the low individual gross with 38 and Ed Mack stood his ground with a 33 for the low individual net. Normandin proved his game with closest to pin in three on No. 11, Doug Fisher nabbed closest to pin on No. 14, and Bob...

  • TF students end year with field day

    Jennifer Curran|Jun 8, 2023

    It was a fun-filled day for Thompson Falls elementary students (K-6) as teachers, staff, students and family members gathered together at the high school track for the day's activities. "We had a great event, thanks to the help from all staff and students," said Elementary Physical Education teacher Karli Thomas. The kids partook in a variety of running events throughout the day: the 50m dash, 50m hurdles, 100m dash, 100m hurdles and the 200m dash. The field events included: the softball throw,...

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