Flocking in the name of Lulack

PLAINS – In memory of a long-standing member of the community and one of the backbones of the Plains Woman’s Club, the club is coming together to raise funds by flamingos in the name of Louise Lulack.

'Birds of a Feather' in Superior

For Superior High School Montana History Professor and Play Director Cathleen Kuchera the best part of producing a play every year is “getting to watch the students shine” and this year’s production of the play ‘Birds of a Feather’ was no different – for two nights the high school students took to the stage and shone. Preparation for play, which takes place in the suburbs and revolves around a series of showdowns between Leonna Crump (played by Hannah Hollenback) and her new neighbors – group of “hill-folk,” began two and a half months ago with Kuchera holding tryouts. “We had a shorter amount of time to put this play together – just over two months - and by play standards it is about a week less than what a director would like,” Kuchera said. “I hold a meeting for all interested parties about three months out to inform the students of my expectations. The play requires dedication and hard work, and the biggest part of the dedication is showing up to practice and memorizing your lines. Drama is not for the weak in body or mind.” After auditions, the group of student actors begins an intensive rehearsal regime – practicing over two hours a day to make sure the actors are prepared for their time to shine. “It is not like traditional sports where you have a number of games – we have only two shots at this,” Kuchera said. Another aspect of the preparation is, as Kuchera called it, “in the details” and the group works on finding all of the props and costumes as well as setting up the stage for the performance. “I do get pretty lucky in the fact that our set is painted by the advanced art class under Mrs. Kelly’s supervision – for which I am extremely thankful,” Kuchera said. The months of long practices lead to show time and on May 3 and 4 the student-actors entertained packed houses in the multi-purpose room of the high-school with the story of Leona Crump and her judgemental nature and sharpness being taken to the limit by her new neighbors. “I feel the performances went excellent,” Kuchera said. “Every single one of them did exactly what they were supposed to do – they rolled with the punches. I cannot express how proud I am with my cast and crew.” Although the ending of the play is “always bittersweet” for Kuchera, seeing the students shine and break out of their shells is something she cherishes. “When the students participate in the play and receive the praise they obviously deserve, I begin to see this confidence that wasn’t there before,” Kuchera said. “I say this almost every year, but the dramatic productions are so important because it provides students with an opportunity to express their artistic talents and be noticed for their skills.”

Winning for Luke Thompson Falls football team rebounds from tragedy

Despite a tragic event earlier this year, the Thompson Falls High School football team has stayed together, enjoying a strong to the 2019 season.

Where is the Taft cemetery?

Boom town supported railroad in early 1900s

“Bullet, belt buckle, button,” the metal detector’s screen reads various items buried some seven feet beneath the earth. Forest Service Archeologist Erika Karuzas continues to wave the detector over an area that most believe is the location of an old cemetery. Located on a hillside covered with 100-year-old lodge pole pine overlooking Interstate 90.

Craft breweries dot NW Montana

T?he growth of craft breweries has exploded during the last decade and Northwest Montana is part of the revolution.

Cedar Creek road relocation almost complete

Before a railroad was built next to Cedar Creek, the 20-mile stream meandered through the forest and served as prime habitat for the bull trout and westslope cutthroat trout, the creek's native species.

The end of an era

For the past ten seasons Hot Springs and Plains have shared not only a football team, but all of the passion, sense of community and pride that go with it. In 2011, however, each will have to find their own grid-iron identity as the two will be on different sidelines for the first time in a decade.

Superior kids compete in annual spelling bee

Nick Ianniello

Plains xc excels at Eureka Invitational

It’s said that we remember many of the “firsts” in life:  first day of school, first kiss,  first car and first deer.  If that’s the case, Plains High School’s Carter Montgomery will certainly remember last Friday’s Eureka Invitational Cross Country Meet.  It was at that meet, held at Indian Springs Ranch Golf Course, when Montgomery scored his first high school cross country victory.  Breaking free from the pack within the first quarter-mile, Montgomery had a 35 second lead by the mile and extended it from there.  By the end of the three mile race, he had a 57 second margin of victory over teammate Kenneth Beech.  According to head coach Tony Banovich, “we thought that this was going to be a good opportunity for Carter to get his first victory.  So, our race plan called for him to get our hard, break from the pack as soon as possible; then, push the pace as best he could.  He executed perfectly and had just a fantastic race.”

Mineral County Tea Party holds rally

They weren’t many in number and they weren’t standing outside the steps of the White House, but the people who took up signs last week to protest government over-reach, spending and taxes felt like they were getting their voices heard.

Living a dream

Ladyhawks take out Columbus to win first championship

Break out the virgin margaritas, it's time to celebrate. The Ladyhawks are 2010 B-C Softball champions.

Lady Tigers' season cut short

The St. Regis Lady Tigers’ season was cut short when they dropped down to four players. Without a team of five, the girls forfeited the last few games of their regular season and missed out on playing at the district tournament.

Under the big top in Thompson Falls

THOMPSON FALLS- Clowns, trapeze artists, performers on tall unicycles and big cats under the big top entertained a standing room only crowd on Saturday in Thompson Falls. Dazzling the crowd with acts varying from humorous to dangerous, the Culpepper and Merriweather Circus made the stop for the only two shows in Sanders County this year.

Hunter numbers up of big game season-opener

The 2023 Montana big game general hunting season opened Saturday, Oct. 21, and hunters in the west-central part of the state found warm fall weather and a few less animals than in recent years.

Property tax rebate claims now open

Eligible Montana homeowners may now claim a property tax rebate.

Noxon-Thompson Falls baseball gets win over Browning

If the way the first season of Noxon-Thompson Falls varsity baseball ended is any indication, good things may be on the horizon for the Red Devils.

Seeley Swan blanks Horsemen, 58-0

With a new coach at the helm and an all underclassman roster on the field, the Horsemen have stumbled out of the gate to begin the 2021 football season.

Mineral County business phone directory returns

The last Mineral County Business Directory that was printed was in 2015 and it was a publication of the Mineral County Chamber of Commerce. Several attempts to update and print a new one was talked about and once or twice, a few people started but it was never completed.

Couple revamps Plains nursery

Plains now has a one-stop shop for everything a person needs for outdoor planting.

Lady Savage Heat fall at Arlee

Both teams fought hard in a match that could easily have gone either way.