Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Dear Jo, This past weekend was Easter. I have always grown up in church. I have friends who are agnostic, Mormon, Pagan - the gamut. I love them all and respect them. The problem lies in whether or not I can date someone with a different belief system than myself. Not just a different belief system, but one that directly contradicts my basic beliefs. Is it a futile effort to even try? Signed, Praying for Clarity Dear Praying, Oooh boy! That, my friend, is a question only you can answer. Just be true to yourself. Signed, Jo Dear Jo, Boy oh boy,...
Dear Jo, I am dating a beautiful woman. She is the whole package: beautiful, intelligent, fun. We share so many interests and every time we are together, it is better than the last time. Why am I writing? Well, the other day was a warm and sunny one. We went out for lunch and a walk. She wore sandals...her feet were so bad. She has scaly, yellow toenails. Her feet look like I could carve a pound of dead skin off each one. Her toenails look like weapons! That is all bad enough, but it gets worse. She had thick, grayscales between her toes! What...
Save the Date! Save the Date! SAVE THE DATE! One of The Whitehall community's most exciting events is fast approaching! The Whitehall Chamber of Commerce and Jefferson Valley Community Foundation are truly pleased to invite the entire community to the Eighteenth Annual Black Tie and Blue Jeans Dinner and Auction. This event is open to all and will be held May 21, 2022 at 5:30 PM. The theme this year will be, "Wear your Boots, Get Back to Your Roots." Because of tremendous enthusiasm from last...
Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Adam Meier announced that Montanans eligible for food and cash assistance can now make purchases online through Walmart.com as part of a federal nationwide initiative to increase access. “We are excited to be able to offer this convenient method of shopping to Montana families,” Meier said. “While Walmart is our initial launch, we will work on expanding this program with additional online retailers in the future.” Thousands of households receive benefits through the Supplem...
Dear Jo, Have you ever caught yourself doing something and then were horrified at the thought someone would find it gross, weird, etc? I have done so several times in the last few months. For example, eating with my head down like I am starving, comfortably farting or itching my butt on the way to the bathroom. I have been alone too long. What if I did any of those things (or the worse ones I will not be writing about!) in public because I have become too comfortable?! How the heck do I make sure that never, ever happens? Signed, Disgusted...
Dear Jo, Do you ever feel like you missed becoming something amazing? I sometimes feel like I knew when I was young what I wanted to do, at least what area of education I would love. Life and decisions changed that course. Sometimes I am filled with regret at what might have been. I love my life, but feel like I could have been and done so much more. How can I reconcile myself with what I can achieve with the time left? Signed, Hopeful Dear Hopeful, There is no going back. Don’t just reconcile what you want to do with the time you have left! Em...
Dear Editor, Good news! The project to do restoration of the Whitehall Murals is continuing! The first mural to be restored will be the mural located at the Jefferson Fresh Foods. As I’m sure you can imagine there are significant costs to restore that specific mural. In order to facilitate financial contributions to the mural restoration, the Whitehall Chamber has reached a fiscal sponsorship agreement with the Jefferson Valley Community Foundation. This structure creates an opportunity for those who would like to support the mural r...
Dear Jo, How do you feel about people sharing your food? How about your drink? My aunt is always taking bites of my food, a sip of my drink. I don’t want to be a picky or a germophobic person, but I wonder where her hands and lips have been before they partake of my goodies. How do I tell her in a way she will not be offended that I wish she would keep her saliva to herself? Signed, I Spit You Not Dear Spit, The best way is the honest way. “Keep your drool and your germy hands off my food!” is a good place to start!! Let me know how it goes....
Dear Jo, My husband, who is in his 60s, wears a baseball cap all day, every day, to hide a bald spot on the back of his head. He has worn that same dirty cap for two years and even wears it to work. He wears it in the house and only removes it when he is sleeping. I have suggested he wash it or replace it, but he refuses and he makes a tsk-tsk noise when I tell him I don’t think it’s healthy to wear something filthy on your head for two years. Signed, Disgusted with the Dingy Hat Dear Disgusted, Well, I see two options. First, you can do a nig...
Dear Jo, Have you ever met someone, liked them immediately only to find out they really don’t like you, which hurts your feelings? I know, I know, leave it be. Walk away. Why does it matter? Well, I am sometimes too sensitive of a person. How do I come to terms that not everyone has to like me? I have always felt like this, hurt if someone does not like or agree with me. Help! Signed, Cares Too Much Dear Cares, I can relate, but LET THAT $#%& GO!!! There is nothing to be gained by letting how others feel about you determine how you feel a...
Dear Jo, I hope this reaches you in time for this week’s paper because I need advice! It is cold, really cold. As a matter of fact, it is booger freezing weather. I hate it when it gets this cold. I always get that horrible frozen booger feeling in my nose and it seems like I am always around people when that happens. How can you pick ‘em and flick ‘em when people are there?! I know, it sounds gross, but it is a serious booger issue when you have to try to find a way to get frozen, hair-pulling boogers out of your nose and try to be polit...
Fish Hawk Campground at Canyon Ferry Reservoir is closed until further notice. Reclamation issued a press release in October 2021 after continued misuse occurred at the campground last summer and fall. Large amounts of garbage were recently dumped at Fish Hawk Campground and visitors have continually left behind trash that led to the decision to temporarily close the site. Reclamation is proud to manage Canyon Ferry’s public federal lands, that belong to the American people, and exist for the benefit of all, and will release another notice w...
Dear Jo, I have a 7-year old daughter, Bea. We live two houses over from her best friend, Stacey. The two girls go to school together and stay over at each other’s houses. Stacy’s parents recently got a pet fox. I wasn’t worried at first, but now I’m not so sure. The fox isn’t violent or anything, but almost every time she comes back from their house, Bea tells some hilarious, giggling story about how the fox stole food, or the TV remote, or something else, and ran around the house holding it in his mouth or trying to bury it somewhere. Last ev...
Dear Jo, I used to be one of those people who kept their house so clean. Like, really REALLY clean. Everything in its place, floors swept daily, etc. Now, I can put up with a mess until I realize someone else is going to see it. Then, it’s like a light goes on in my head, I realize how bad it looks, and I wonder what the HECK I have been doing! What is going on?! How can I motivate myself to get back to my old self? I WANT to do better. I love when my house is all clean, but I feel unmotivated. UGH! Signed, Dusty Dear Dusty, Girl, the only t...
Montana Attorney General Austin Knudsen and Montana Department of Public Health and Human Services Director Adam Meier issued an advisory today to clarify the current status of, and Montanans’ rights and obligations, under the Parental Notification of Abortion Act of 2011. Montana Code books reflect that House Bill 391 (2013) repealed portions of this law. However, the Montana Code doesn’t account for court decisions, and these provisions are in fact current law. The Parental Notification of Abortion Act, which was approved by more than 70%...
Dear Jo, I need your thoughts about a good friend who, at the end of the month of my birthday or the first week of the next one, hits me with a birthday card. Then she says she doesn’t know my exact birth date but at least she remembers the month and, therefore, I should be thankful. Four years later, I am tempted to tell her if it’s not important enough to remember the day, then why bother? Am I wrong for feeling this way, or should I just be thankful she at least remembers the month? Sincerely, Birthday Girl Dear Birthday Girl, A little fin...
Dear Editor, Dan Haggerty for County Commissioner! We as concerned citizens are always looking for honest, conscientious representation. People who want to be involved in public service and want to do it truly for public service are few and far between. Dan Haggerty is that person. Dan represented and protected all of Jefferson County for years and established a reputation as a person who really cared about the people he served and protected. Dan served for years in a dangerous and thankless job; a job whereas Deputy Sheriff obviously he did...
Dear Jo, People always say follow your dreams. Well, how do you know what your dream is? How can people be so confident about what they want to do and have? Am I the only one who still (in my fifties) is not 100% sure of what my dream is? Signed, Dreamin’ Dear Dreamin’, You cannot look at what others do and apply it to yourself. Your journey is, well, yours. Embrace your life, your experiences, all that is uniquely you. Signed, Jo Dear Jo, I keep hearing that this is the end of times. The world is entering the period of Revelation. After the...
Dear Jo, I have heard a lot of people complaining and/or asking about what to do about receiving thank-you acknowledgments. Here is the other side of that dilemma. What does one do when receiving gifts that for whatever reason are unfortunate picks for the receiver? I feel as if I’m lying when I say “thank you.” I’ve tried not sending a thank you, but that felt icky and did not work. Signed, You Shouldn’t Have Dear Shouldn’t Have, Always be gracious and kind. Send the thank you, it really is the thought that counts. Signed, Jo Dear Jo, I am tr...
Dear Jo, All the New Year resolutions are everywhere! Every time I turn around I see another message meant to inspire, enlighten or encourage me. Am I the only one who is already sick of the unasked for advice?! I feel like screaming when I see “drink more water.” Seriously, is it not a basic human instinct to drink water? We need it to survive after all! Here’s another one…. ”go to bed early and wake early”….said no fun person ever! “Move more, sit less.” Dear Lord, I have been hearing that since I tried to fit into my sister's prom dress at 1...
Governor Greg Gianforte and Department of Public Health and Human Services (DPHHS) Director Adam Meier announced today that Montana No Kid Hungry (NKH) has awarded a total of $150,980 through grants to 11 local organizations across the state to support food access and nutrition projects. “Strengthening the local food system will help improve access to healthy and local food, support Montana’s farmers and producers, and provide a boost to the economy,” Governor Gianforte said. Montana No Kid Hungry is a public-private partnership between DPHHS...
Dear Jo, Happy New Year! I wish I could say that I had a lot of hope for the new year. I am bummed already. I cannot seem to get my act together. What really does this year have to offer me?! I have not had any luck in so many years, I just don’t even hope for it anymore. I have a home, food, family, it just is not enough. Signed, Bored and Bummed Dear Bored and Bummed, What does the new year hold for you? Three-hundred and sixty-five opportunities to quit feeling sorry for yourself, get off your ass, and make a life! Signed, Jo Dear Jo, I f...
I hope you’ve had a wonderful and safe holiday season thus far! Since 2021 has come to a close, I wanted to take a moment to round it out by sharing some of my highlights for the year. We’ve had quite a year here in the United States Senate, and all along I’ve been focused on delivering real results for Montanans. 1. The signing of my bipartisan infrastructure package into law.No surprise here, my top highlight is the bipartisan infrastructure package, which delivers urgently-needed investments to Montana that will support our small busin...
Dear Jo, Well, here we are. The holidays are almost over, the gift wrap is in the trash. I was so looking forward to relaxing, taking a deep breath. Why do I feel so wound up? I cannot settle down? I find myself pacing, thoughts racing with all that the year ahead holds. How can I relax and enjoy the downtime?! Signed, No Chillin Dear No Chillin, For heaven’s sake, you have me pacing! Take some melatonin, followed by a meditation podcast and end with a hot toddy and bed! Signed, Jo Dear Jo, The holidays make my spouse amorous. To the point t...
We are beginning our sixth year helping people read their Bibles cover-to-cover in one year. All you need is a Bible, a cell phone that receives text messages, and a desire to read your Bible. Here’s how it works: you phone me using the phone where you want the texts sent, and beginning January first, I will send you a text specifying what Bible passage to read that day along with points to notice in that passage. It’s free, and you can start or stop anytime you choose. Some people have started this just within the last few months, so they wil...
