Your Community Builder
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The Ekalaka Public Library extends its heartfelt gratitude to the community for their generous donations and memorial contributions in memory of Bud Breding. These gifts have greatly enriched the library's offerings, including a collection of newly acquired books and DVDs. Among the latest additions to the library's collection are: "This Rebel Heart" by Katherine Locke: A gripping tale set during WWII in Budapest, where a young girl grapples with her family's legacy amidst...
submitted by Mr. James Kapptie Just like the snow gently falls, blanketing the ground, New year brings fresh starts, all around. At Ekalaka Schools, we're excited to see, What the year will bring, for you and for me. So let it snow, let is snow… Happy New Year! The new year is here, and we're excited for what lies ahead! We recently surveyed our community, staff, and students to gather feedback on how we can improve. A key theme that emerged is the need for greater t...
January 12, 2025 Winter snow has covered Capitol and Tie Creek. We had a couple of days of wind along with the snow, but the moisture was nice that cleaned the air. Dick and Erma Albert stayed close to home this week. The snow had drifted up, and Dick's pick-up was still in the shop, so they didn't get out until Friday, for the Senior Citizen Dinner. Erma stayed to play cards, and then got a ride home, later. They got someone to plow them out, so on Sunday they went to church. They joined the Helms, and Erk families, and...
The fires in California have shed light on the failure of politicians to lead wisely with regard to the dangers of eliminating logging, grazing, and water storage systems from the ecosystem. It is undeniable that if cattle had been allowed to graze those California hills, the fires would not have had nearly as much fuel. I am particularly irritated by the war against cattle that environmental groups have been waging for years. Why are they discriminating against cattle? There...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, friends shared part of some lads chatting together. One lad was angry, said he'd tried to catch a ride but was told he needed to apply ahead of time...... D. L. interrupted; "I KNOW what you mean, adding, you know guys, we're all created by our creator, given 'free will', sent to earth to do our job, when our time's up, our Father will call us back home. Once there, Abba Father will check the Book of Life to see IF our name has been re...
Susan Metcalf Columnist I am not a fan of winter, but I realize that as long as we own cows, my dream of becoming a snowbird in the winter will likely never come to fruition. I gave up skiing long ago after two knee surgeries. I kind of like ice fishing, but I only like it on bright sunny days if the fish are really biting. Snow shoeing, cross country skiing, and ice skating are all too much work to be called fun as it exhausting just getting the gear strapped on. So when our...
January 5, 2025 Capitol and Tie Creek have a new year, and things instantly changed. We’ve already gotten some moisture this year with about a foot of snow. Things instantly cooled down to about zero, and winter has really begun. Alvin and Marlee Cordell went to the Christmas Eve Candle lighting service, at the Methodist Church in Camp Crook. Then on Christmas, all of their family was home for the day. Wade and Ashley Pearson and their family, and Jay Cordell came on Christmas Eve. Ryan and Tawni and their family came over o...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know Lord, when someone asks us a question as to what has God done for us today, we certainly can be caught off guard. Our mind tends to freeze. That question keeps one thinking about You, all day, Lord. We know that you're at WORK every day; we notice Your fingerprints, Your goodness, faithfulness or specific things like glorious sunrises, or sunsets, finding a penny in the parking lot or a favored item on sale at the grocery store – OR - even a...
December 22, 2024 A Visit from a Saint ‘Twas the night before Christmas on Tie Creek and Capitol. The blizzard was blowing. It was thirty below. Our cellars were filled with bountiful glass jars of freeze dried and canned foods, and things from bazaars. Our stockings were on in a layer or two, In hopes that our toes didn’t all turn bright blue, And Grandma had on her special lined pants She won’t take off ‘till she sees new green plants. While Grandpa sat huddled two feet from the heater, Refusing to look at the tempera...
November, 2024 With the extra activity of the season this should be noted as history not news! My apologies to our readers! Lois Kapptie celebrated her 90th birthday with family by her side enjoying cake and ice cream. Lois was the 8th baby born to Anna and William Kapptie. Lois is a "spit fire" now, I can't imagine how lively she was when she was growing up with a family of brothers! Happy Birthday Lois! November 3, daylight saving time ended, meaning our days will get shorter and our nights longer. The days will continue to...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: We woke, dear, Lord, first day – NEW MONTH; also, a brand-new year! Hurry and dress, do a few things; check if there's still TEN deer! Seems they forgot their Mountain home; they LIKE hill-tops and trees. They dash and nibble here and there, or rest down on their knees. It's cold up here- it's WINTER TIME - today the sky is BLUE! A little neighbor girl's so cute, she loves to wear blue, too! 'Mike' said we ought to have a list of things we NEED TO D...
Two years ago this month, I retired and briefly wondered whether I would be bored or not. As it turned out, I was not given the opportunity to be bored. I ended up teaching high school culinary in my time off from working at the Boutique and the ranch, and then I finished off this past year by going back to my old County Superintendent job. I have high hopes of retiring some time in the future, so at my dear friend Judy Vidack's estate sale, I bought a book that I think I had...
December 15, 2024 Snow covered the countryside this week at Capitol and on Tie Creek. There was two or three inches that gave us some very needed moisture. At first the cloudy days were dismal and cold, but things warmed up every day and soon the snow was melting on Saturday. By Sunday, we had off and on showers of December rain, even though it was barely above freezing at ground level. Alvin Cordell was enjoying the rain on Sunday. Wade Pearson had come out on Wednesday, to finish road work for Mark Baier. Alvin and Marlee w...
With just hours until Christmas, I am in a bit of a panic. My plan this year was to buy one small gift for each person on my list to open and then give them an adventure as their big present. That seemed like a fine plan until it came down to the wire this week to decide what to book and when to book it. There are 9 of us ranging in age from 9 to 87. The adventure has to be something that is suitable for an age range of 78 years. Travel agents seem to find that requirement...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, 'Sheri' shared about her one night in London – she was there for a meeting. It was pouring rain, she was late so she rushed through the streets, turned a corner and then stopped! Dozens of angels hovered above on Regent Street. Their giant shimmering wings, made of thousands of pulsing lights, stretching across the traffic. She said that it was the most amazing Christmas display she had even seen. She wasn't the only one captivated ...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, another friend shared about a prayerful 'blurb' she'd recently read which reminded her of where she'd lived or visited. 'Jenny' mention that she was having morning devotions near a window that looked out over a peaceful pond; which is way South; out of our state. Anyway, she heard the birdies singing, saw the sky was dusted with soft shades of blue and white which made her aware of Jesus's presence. But she'd lived in other places,...
December 9, 2024 Saturday was a beautiful day at Capitol and on Tie Creek. It felt like Indian summer again. We should have guessed that Sunday would be windy enough to blow many things to Wyoming or Nebraska. That day started warm and kept getting cooler. On Tuesday, Ronda Cordell went over to Buffalo, to see Crystal, due to an inflamed and swollen eye lid which had come on suddenly. The lid appeared to be slit in one area, but that day she hadn't been aware of an incident having happened. Ronda was given ten days of...
My friend, Mike Long of Bozeman, Montana, is one of those people who is just naturally funny. If I have had a bad day, all I have to do to cheer myself up is check out Mike's Facebook page. On one such bad day recently, I scrolled across Mike's philosophies for life. With full disclosure, I had to edit out some of the responses for a family newspaper, but this is his abridged list that left me laughing and nodding in agreement: 1. If you have a crawl space, don't go down...
A holiday tune for all. Jingle bells, jingle bells, jingle all the way, The School Board met the other day. Progress continues, a wintery sight, As we work towards a future bright. Seventh-grade students shared their year's delight, Highlighting successes, shining bright. The board discussed IBB, a wintery plan, To improve our school, a noble stand. Mrs. Spencer shared test results, a wintery cheer, A promising start, crystal clear. Staffing challenges, a wintery plight, But...
One of my favorite things to do when I am visiting my rural schools during the holiday season is to ask the younger students to help me write instructions on how to cook a turkey. The following instructions were given by the two youngest students at Melville School. Nodin Selke in first grade gave the following cooking directions: Get a million pound turkey. Take the turkey out of the wrapper and put it in a pot. Put salt and pepper and garlic on it. Cook it in the oven for 50...
December 2, 2024 Thanksgiving week was a chilly one, and stayed below freezing at Capitol and on Tie Creek, but the sunshine was happy and bright. Erma Albert needed work on her glasses, so on Monday, Dick took her to the Hills to the eye doctor. They stopped to get groceries and already had a turkey in the freezer for Thanksgiving. The Senior Citizen Thanksgiving dinner was last week. Dick and Erma stayed home and feasted on Thanksgiving with turkey and dressing. On Sunday, they went to church at the Catholic church in...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, a friend shared that she had read about slowing down time – and that so much has changed since the electric clock was invented in the 1840s! That was most interesting to watch or think about how we today keep time, no matter where we go or what we do, it seems like most folks, especial the younger ones, all know about smart watches, smart phones, and laptops. Chuckle chuckle! Seems like the entire pace of life seems faster now – eve...
I absolutely love guest columns and teaching writing, so this week when I was subbing at Melville School, I asked my upper grade writing class to write guest columns complete with recipes. They did a great job, and hopefully they will be inspired to keep writing! This is week one of guest columns. Tune in next week for more! Have a blessed Thanksgiving, everyone! Semi Scandal by Dally Cosgriff One cool fall day, my Uncle Gregory was working on a motor in a shop in Greycliff,...
Hello God, it's me, Mara: You know, Lord, it's a blessing to say 'THANKS' – that's an honor to God. That thought popped up as several guys were discussing the cancer diagnosis of their uncle. 'Johnny' spoke, stating that he'd been in the room with his uncle when the Dr. came in, suggesting he start each day by giving thanks, "For at least three things," she suggested. 'Dan' stated that Uncle starts out each day with words of praise; Thank You, God, for a good night's sleep. F...
As Thanksgiving approaches, the School Board expresses gratitude for the dedicated staff and supportive community. The board recently elected Lisa Borchgrevink as Chair and Mike Ashbrook as Vice Chair. Staff Morale and Community Input The board received results of a recent staff climate survey. While the overall results were positive, the board recognizes the importance of continued improvement. To further enhance communication and collaboration, the district plans to seek...
