Wednesday, December 29
Bigfork VFW honors couple and Montana Legends for preparing annual Christmas dinner
Bigfork Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 4042 took some time to honor a couple who prepares their Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners every year. VFW Post Commander Rob Gambino gave Dave Russell and Katie Burns Awards of Commendation for their work supporting veterans.
PHOTOS: Christmastime in Bigfork
The Christmas spirit was alive in Bigfork this month. Community members gathered together to give back, and spend time with family and friends.
Sports roundup: boys and girls basketball pickup more wins, wrestling hosts first mixer of the season
The Valkyries and Vikings basketball teams both picked up blowout wins in Plains Wednesday while the Vikings wrestling team hosted Arlee, Browning, Florence-Carlton, Eureka and Plains-Hot Springs for a mixer Tuesday.
Monday, December 27
First Interstate Bank Branch Manager Nancy Fratt retires
Branch Manager Nancy Fratt is retiring after 35 years of working at First Interstate Bank.
Wednesday, December 22
Valkyries basketball team stays undefeated after perfect week
It was another full week of Bigfork High School sports heading into the Christmas break last week as the Valkyries basketball team picked up three wins to remain undefeated, the Vikings hoops squad won one and lost two and the wrestling team was in action in Libby. The Valkyries swim team was scheduled to compete in Missoula Saturday, but did not make the trip after Friday’s bomb threat at the high school.
Bowling alley in Bigfork now “Grizzly Lanes” with professional bowler at helm
The bowling alley in Bigfork recently came under new ownership after it was purchased by professional bowler Rhino Page and his business partner Jeff Heinle. The two friends hope to turn Grizzly Lanes, formerly Pick’s Bowling Center, into a place that is a destination for families and aspiring bowlers alike.
Looking local to keep New Year's resolutions
Chamber of Commerce Executive Director Rebekah King writes about new years resolutions and how you can utilize shopping local to realize them.
PHOTOS: Fire and Ice Oyster Roast at Kelly's Casino
The first annual Fire and Ice Oyster Roast at Kelly's Casino featured an ice bar, ice cups, and ice sculptures, not to mention delicious fire roasted oysters.
Bigfork Schools and law enforcement look for leads as bomb threat investigation continues
A message sent to parents from Bigfork Schools administrative team said officials are still searching for the person who left a message indicating a bomb threat on Friday morning.
CFBB looks to recruit younger board members, outlines plan for leadership transition
The Community Foundation For a Better Bigfork met for their monthly meeting last week to discuss end-of-year business and look towards 2022. Discussions mostly revolved around terms and recruiting membership, with President Paul Mutascio stepping down next year.
Friday, December 17
Bigfork High School evacuated and cleared after bomb threat found in bathroom
The Flathead County Sheriff’s Office said on Facebook that Bigfork High School has been evacuated and cleared after a bomb threat Friday morning.
Wednesday, December 15
From pandemic unemployment to receiving “Best Chef” in Bigfork, Schafer’s Jeans Matheros reflects on his journey
Schafer’s Restaurant chef Jeans Matheros was living a very different life in Los Angeles before the pandemic hit. After being laid off due to mandatory shutdowns, he never thought he would become an executive chef in Bigfork, Montana, let alone win “Best Chef,” in the annual Best of Bigfork awards.
PHOTOS: Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theatre presents "Elf Jr."
"Sparklejollytwinkle...what?!" The Bigfork Playhouse Children's Theater debuted their production of Elf Jr. this weekend to a sold-out audience.
Swan River students learn the basics of pickleball at the Jewel Basin Center
Students at Swan River Schools got the opportunity to learn how to play pickleball at the Jewel Basin Center in Bigfork on a school field trip this month.
Sports roundup: basketball season kicks-off, swim team goes to Kalispell Invitational, and wrestling competes in Plains
Winter sports were in full swing last week as the Vikings and Valkyries basketball teams opened their season at the Tip-Off Tournament in Frenchtown while swimming was at the Kalispell Invitational and wrestling competed in Plains.
Wednesday, December 8
Bigfork Food Bank in need of holiday food items
The Bigfork Food Bank is looking for holiday food items to give in their Christmas donation boxes. Co-Director Tricia Polett said this could include anything that could contribute to a normal holiday dinner for families in need.
Vikings football players earn postseason honors
Nine members of the Vikings football team picked up postseason honors last week as the Montana Class B All-State and All-Conference selections were announced.
Wrestling, swimming seasons get underway in Polson
Winter sports got underway over the weekend as the Valkyries swim team and Vikings wrestling were both in Polson.
Free vaccine clinic being held at Montana Athletic Club Dec. 21
A free vaccine clinic is being held at the Montana Athletic Club on December 21 for ages 12 and up.
PHOTOS: Bigfork businesses compete in Christmas Window Display Contest
The Bigfork Area Chamber of Commerce and Park Side Credit Union had their 4th Annual Business Window Decorating Contest on Friday, prompting businesses in Bigfork to make their storefronts "Sparklejollytwinklejingly," the theme for Christmas this year in collaboration with the Bigfork Playhouse Children’s Theater performance of “ELF the Musical.”
River Pigs and Flames in the Forest – Part 2
All of the forested ecosystems around Bigfork, the Swan Valley, and most parts of the western United States depend on fire. And while many of the fires we experience during the summer here in Montana are started by lighting, there is large body of natural evidence, as well as traditional knowledge, that points to the immense influence of burning carried out by indigenous people and tribes.
Christmas stocking stuffers bring joy to in-need Bigfork children and teens
Receiving a stocking stuffed with candy and goodies for Christmas is a given for many kids all over the world, but so many others it is not. Community members have been working to make sure that little bit of normalcy is retained for children and teens who are in need around the Bigfork area.
Wednesday, December 1
Flathead musician Eric Alan releases second album
Musician Eric Alan has lived and played music all over the country, but he never expected to be able to make a living playing music in the place where he grew up. Now, he’s excited to debut his new album to his following in the Flathead.
PHOTOS: Montana Legends donate $20,000 worth of food to veterans
Montana Legends host their Memorial Poker Run for the Vets ahead of Memorial Day, which has helped raise thousands of dollars for the NW Montana Stand Down and Food Pantry for 12 years. They are pictured here loading up the food donations ahead of Thanksgiving at Harvest Foods in Bigfork.
Valkyries dynamic duo helped lead soccer team to new heights
Bigfork’s Brette Guenzler and Scout Nadeau have spent a lot of time on the soccer pitch together since they began playing together in elementary school, but this season the dynamic duo and their teammates stood somewhere no Valkyrie soccer player had ever been before - the Class A state semi-finals.
Brainstorming trail connectivity and recreation opportunities around Bigfork
Community members met with land trust groups, Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks and National Forest officials to discuss how to best utilize upcoming recreation projects around Bigfork.
Gloria Ann (Christiansen) Angst
Gloria Ann (Christiansen) Angst, age 77, of Bigfork, Montana slipped the surly bonds of earth on November 22, 2021, in the presence of family and friends.
Deep dive into FLBS: The appreciation of gratitude
Flathead Lake Biological Station Media and Information Manager Ian Withrow meditates on the gratitude he feels for officials and volunteers that work to keep invasive species out of Flathead Lake.
