Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
Serving Southern Jefferson County in the Great State of Montana
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Fall is here, and now is the time to enjoy crisp mountain air and color-rich landscapes. Take time to get outdoors and make the most of these golden days, with fall festivals ready to entertain the whole family. Have fun and support local vendors, businesses, and musicians across the Treasure State. Celebrate autumn at the Townsend Fall Festival from Friday, October 2 to Sunday, October 4. Presented by the Rotary Club of Townsend, admission is free. The festival starts off Friday night with live music, food, and drink and continues all day...
An Open Letter to Representative Mark Reinschmidt: Dear Mark, You were appointed to this position after our elected Representative, Marta Bertoglio, stepped down. Now you are standing for election by the people of HD 75. As one of your constituents, I need to know your positions on many subjects. You attended a meeting of Whitehall Indivisible last year when you were first appointed and basically stated that you were very new to this and did not have many answers to our questions, other than...
Summer may be waning, but September still beckons you to head outdoors for recreation and activities. What’s not to enjoy about cool, crisp weather, autumn colors, and, with school back in session, fewer crowds? Trout await in the rivers; cool mountain trails tempt hikers, and wildlife watching is always special. Likewise, communities are staging the last of the Farmers Markets and promoting events to highlight the season. In WHITEHALL, the crisp fall weather is perfect for outdoor recreation, with highlighted activities including fly f...
August is a great month to celebrate life in Southwest Montana, ideal for mountain and water recreation. Sunny afternoons and cool nights beckon everyone outdoors and this is a great month for spotting wildlife. Rivers are prime for world-class fly fishing, tubing and rafting. At the same time, communities are hosting the last month of summer with Farmer’s Markets, rodeos, festivals and more. In WHITEHALL, the Jefferson River, which runs through Whitehall, is perfect for trout fishing and calm kayaking. For off-roading, head to the Pipestone A...
July in southwest Montana is a peak summer month with long sunny days and cool evenings. An ideal month to spent time outdoors – hiking, exploring, rafting or floating the rivers, world class fly fishing. It’s a month full of small-town parades, rodeos, 4 th of July celebrations and cultural festivals. So much to do within the space of one month. Whitehall outdoor recreation choices are plentiful. Lewis & Clark Caverns State Park, Montana’s first state park, offers massive limestone underground cave formations with two guided walking tours...
July arrives next week, and with it, many families are headed to the mountains, lakes, or to be with family. Knowing that from years past, we will not be having a program on Wednesday, July 1st at the Whitehall Community Library. We will be serving lunches from Monday through Thursday from 11 AM to 1 PM. The library will be closed on Friday, July 3rd, and Saturday, July 4th, for the Independence Day holiday. Programs happening the week of June 29-July 2 include History Book Club on Monday, June...
With summer approaching, it’s time to think about getting outdoors and having fun. If interacting or just observing animals is your type of fun, Southwest Montana is brimming with options. From working farm and ranch visits to appreciative viewing, from wildlife refuges to luxury ranch stays, the choices are yours to make. Alpacas, llamas, goats, bison, highland cattle, horses, bears and wolves – take your pick. Llamas and alpacas may seem out of place in Montana, but they’re quite popular for doing well in harsh climates, serving as excel...
The month of June brings the best of late spring into early summer, months to spend more time outdoors enjoying fishing, hiking and early wildflowers. Every Saturday there is the local Whitehall Farmer’s Market in Legion Park, and it’s a great time to explore the area’s early history at the Jefferson Valley Museum. which opened Memorial Day Weekend. Whitehall can keep you busy outdoors with no effort. The Jefferson River is known for brown trout, dominant near Whitehall, and popular for both dry fly fishing and floating. And late June is prime...
This May, I traveled to California to spend a few days in Yosemite National Park. It is a favorite park of mine, one where I have often spent time over the years. Staying for a few days inside the park was within my modest income. For this visit, I needed to scramble for a reservation, hoping to chance upon a cancellation. As I logged into park accommodations, I had my first shock – rooms at Yosemite Valley Lodge cost around $400 per night. I opened the accommodation options to see if anything else was available, and a tent cabin that slept f...
The month of May brings the best of late spring into early summer, months to spend more time outdoors enjoying fishing, hiking, and early wildflowers. It’s a great time to explore the area’s early history and unique geological attractions. Additionally, local towns are gearing up for more outdoor events and summer festivals. So much to do that it’s a good time to mark your calendars so you don't miss a thing! Whitehall can keep you busy outdoors with no effort. The Jefferson River is known for brown trout, which are dominant near White...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI) discusses political candidates weekly and tracks the changes in who’s running for what. Last week’s change of significance was that Montana’s Eastern District candidate, Montana State Senator Windy Boy, dropped out of the US House race, leaving candidates Sam Lux and Brian Miller running against Troy Downing for the Eastern District. At last count, there were seven people running for the Western District US House seat, and 11 people running for US Senate. Seems excessive, but the primary election is coming on June...
An appointment with Daniela Saavedra at her Goldie Fawn Salon is a lot more than a new hairstyle. Firstly, there's Daniela's top-tier training and 20 years of high-end professional styling and experience, having worked at high-end salons in San Francisco. Add to this the salon's thoughtful, eclectic indoor space: a large, 60x40, open area where, on the left side, Tilden Jeans, a small jeans manufacturer, is being created, and, on the right, Daniela's Goldie Fawn Salon. And it all sits on a...
Whitehall Indivisible welcomed a new addition to the HD 75 campaign trail, Pat Sullivan. House District 75 is the district that residents of Whitehall and most of the surrounding area live in, and currently Mark Reinschmidt serves as its Representative, having been selected by the Republican Party as a replacement when Representative Marta Bertoglio vacated the seat to move to the Department of Commerce. Self-described as a “blue-collar PhD,” Pat Sullivan states he is familiar with how the government works, from decision-making to budgeting, at...
March and April signal the beginning of spring with warmer temperatures and new signs of life. It can be a great time to get out and about, checking out what events are taking place close to home and farther afield. It’s also a wonderful time to get outdoors and see what nature is up to. Whitehall has great opportunities for getting outdoors with scenic trails along the Jefferson River, also a great spot for early season fly fishing. Lewis and Clark Caverns State Park, offers 3,000 acres with hiking trails. Though the caverns don’t open unt...
Representative Kenneth Walsh (R) of House District 69 spoke to the Whitehall Indivisible group last week. The informal presentation with Q&A covered topics ranging from concerns about Madison County government-owned buildings to the reallocation of marijuana revenue to sales tax, voter rolls, and public school funding. Rep. Walsh explained that two events occurred simultaneously in Virginia City and Nevada City: the first was HB680, which he sponsored. HB 680 amended an existing law to extend the term of leases for government-owned heritage...
What do you get when you combine Montana's cowboy culture with winter activity and snow? The answer is rodeo meets skiing: skijoring, a competitive contest in which a rider on horseback pulls a skier through a course of obstacles. Where the fastest and best wins! Could anyone design a more perfect winter activity in Montana? The timed course features obstacles such as gates, ring grabs, jumps, and rollers, with skiers pulled at speeds up to 25 mph and jumps up to 7 ft. A competitive sport that h...
Jody Cargill and her husband Scott are the couple behind the family-run The Iron Wheel, home to Scott's Iron Wheel Outfitters and Jody's Scratch Food, as well as serving as a venue for private events, intimate weddings, and a vacation rental. There's a lot going on. Sixty acres surrounded by Montana's wide-open skies, scenic mountains, and natural beauty, the ideal destination for connecting with friends and family, celebrating a special event, and enjoying nature. A three-level house sleeps up...
Whitehall’s Christmas events are kicking off this weekend with the Annual Alpaca Christmas Affair at Heart & Soul Alpacas on Bench Road. Right around the corner is Whitehall PTSA’s Family Night showing of The Grinch (Dec. 11), Whitehall’s annual Christmas Stroll (Dec. 12-13), as well as the Ledger Christmas Party (Dec. 17), SINGO Fundraiser (Dec. 18), and Polar Express Free Showing (Dec. 23)...but what else is happening around our area? Find out here! The INTERMOUNTAIN FESTIVAL OF TREES takes place in Helena from Wednesday, December 3 to Sunday...
Step into the Whitehall Community Library at any given time, and you might be surprised. Gone are the days of the search for books in a hushed environment. Whitehall Community Library is bustling with activity – children and community programs, computer usage, questions asked and answered, and, of course, the perusal of books and DVDs. There’s a lot going on. Whitehall Community Library is a great community resource. It’s also a great place to volunteer. Jeannie Ferriss, Library Director, describes volunteers as “indispensable,” helping i...
"Redshirt Freshman" Representative Mark Reinschmidt of HD 71 spoke at the final 2025 meeting of Whitehall Indivisible (WI) last Thursday, November 20th. He discussed the steep learning curve of entering the legislature midstream, troubling instances of division, and his unwritten party-line parking faux pas. Selected to replace Marta Bertoglio (R) through a multi-step interview process by which the party in power selects a replacement for an open seat, Mark has jumped into Marta's assigned...
It’s time to get out the calendars and decide which holiday events to attend. There’s something for everyone in the family – festive lights, decorated streets, parades, craftsmen and artisan goods, tasty treats, Santa, and more. Usher in the holiday season with goodwill, supporting local communities, and having fun! On Thursday, November 13, kick off the Christmas season – cowboy style – at the Whitehall Community Center with COWBOY CHRISTMAS DINNER, hosted by the Montana Western Legacy Center. It’s an evening to celebrate the holiday sea...
As summer winds down into autumn, the time arrives to appreciate milder days, crisp mountain air, and golden landscapes. Make the most of autumn with fall and harvest festivals guaranteed to delight the entire family. Take the time to celebrate the people of the Treasure State by supporting local vendors, businesses, and musicians, and most importantly, have fun. Fall festival season kicks off on October 3rd with the three-day, free, family-friendly Townsend Fall Festival, jam-packed with activities for all ages. With more than 10,000 festival...
Whitehall Indivisible (WI)’s August 27th meeting at 6 PM will be our final Wednesday gathering of the year. The League of Women Voters will present its Suffrage Timeline and lead us through the history of voting rights in America at our weekly meeting, held at the school library at 6 PM. School staff and parents are encouraged to attend, as the League of Women Voters presentations are one option for specialized curriculum delivery in the newly created Freedom Week, which will take place for the first time during the last week of September. M...
On Wednesday, August 6, 2025, Jefferson County resident Jordan Williams challenged Governor Greg Gianforte’s appointment of Representative Marta Bertoglio as Director of the Montana Department of Commerce. At the time of her appointment, Bertoglio was a sitting member of the Montana legislature, representing Montana House District 75 (“HD 75”). The Montana State Constitution explicitly prohibits appointing sitting legislators to public office. Article V, Section 9 provides that “No member of the legislature shall, during the term for which h...
Former Whitehall School Board Trustee Mark Reinschmidt has been rather busy since the County Commission last week named him Montana's new representative for House District 75. "My life has already changed dramatically," the 60-year-old father of five told The Monitor in an email interview. "My schedule is filling up fast and I find myself answering phone calls and emails constantly." Setting aside his longstanding career as an artist, designer, and craftsman working in lighting, furniture, and...
