March 31, 1922

First Cattle to be Turned Out on the Open Range

Dan Harvey and Mike Reardon on Bowers Creek this week turned their cattle onto the open range. S.J. Blankenbaker, who returned yesterday from a trip to that part of the county, says the stock are in good condition and that there is sufficient dry grass from last year to last until the new crop comes. Ray. F. Tarbell, who has been feeding cattle on the Fred W. Rue ranch, Little Powder River, yesterday turned them out to graze the open range.

March 28, 1947

Red Cross Sent Relief Worker

Mrs. Claire Starr, disaster field representative for the American Red Cross, opened an office in the courthouse on Saturday morning to take applications for those flood suffers who are unable by their own financing to repair or replace the damage caused by last week’s flood here.

Mrs. Starr said on Tuesday morning that nine individuals had made application before the office closed some time this week.

Only those persons whose resources will not be sufficient to repair or replace damaged property will be eligible for the Red Cross assistance, Mrs. Starr said.

While the damage caused by the flood in Broadus will run into thousands of dollars, much of the damage suffered by persons or business firms who are well able to take care of their own losses and these persons and business firms are not making application to the Red Cross for aid.

March 30, 1972

Firemen Honor Volunteers and Plan Anniversary

Once each year, the Broadus Volunteer Fire Department comes forth with a little more money, a little more time, and a little more effort to observe the successful operations of a working organization, manned by volunteers, and to honor their wives and other citizens who are faithful to the operations of the organization.

Saturday night, at the VFW Hall in Broadus, the firemen in the Broadus community observed this annual event with a banquet prepared and served by the members of the VFW Auxiliary. Honored guests were the behind-the-scenes boosters, mainly firemen’s wives, and long time members and supporters of the organization.

An honored guest was Wes Vandever who was presented with a Broadus Fire Department tie clasp for his many years of volunteer service. Vandever was an active member of the fire department for over 20 years before he retired last year. Although retired, Vandever continues to serve the department when needed. Tribute was also paid to John B. Stabio and Herman Doeden for their support, donations, and volunteer service.

A discussion and report on the new fire hall in Broadus was the principle item on the agenda for the brief accounting of the department, with Ken Jesse acting as master of ceremonies. He announced the construction of the new fire hall is underway with volunteer help and donations making the new building possible.

Thanks were extended to all present for the donations and services, as were the hopes that further donations will see the building completed by early summer. Future plans of the department include a celebration this year honoring the organization’s fiftieth anniversary.

The Broadus Volunteer Fire Department was organized in the summer of 1922. Consensus of opinion among the members of the current force is that a dedication of the building would be the most appropriate celebration for the organizations fiftieth anniversary celebration.

March 27, 1997

Trusler is 1997 Spelling Champ

Broadus Elementary sixth grader Mary Trusler is the 1997 spelling champion of Powder River County. Mary spelled “deduce” correctly in the 47th round of the annual Powder River County Spelling Bee here last Wednesday morning to take the title from second place finisher Andrew Portwine, a Broadus seventh grader.

The top two spellers went head to head through the last several rounds of competition before the championship was decided, according to Bee organizer Charlotte Miller, Powder River County Superintendent of Schools. Miller added that this year’s competitors faced what seemed to be a particularly daunting list of words from the first round on. Words for the county bees are provided by the state office of public instruction, to keep the competitions fair.

The spelling bee was open to all Powder River County sixth, seventh and eighth graders. This year saw a field of 36 young competitors vying for the title, Miller said.

Parents of the top spellers are Tom and Suzanne Trusler of rural Powder River County, and Jeannie Portwine of Broadus.

Mary will now represent Powder River County at the Montana State Spelling Bee, to be held in Helena later this month. The winner there will go onto national competition at Washington, D.C. Andrew will serve as alternate.

Brittany Dice finished Wednesday’s competition in third place. Ben Brewer placed fourth, Patrick Emmons won fifth and Rebecca Sturdevant took sixth place.

Other students on hand for the event were Chance Capp, Elliott Barnhart, Stacy Mader, Rachel Andrews, Keegan Wilson, Jenny Brewer, Brittany Dice, Jillian Rumph, Heidi Samuelson, Jacob Dahl, Ryan Powell, KayCee Gardner, Amanda Dinstel, Jody Gay, Don DeGooyer, Amanda Fortner, Alex Rumph, Cali Hilliard, Amber Smith, Emily Scoles, Alicia Perleberg, Krista Minow, Rebecca Dahl, Emily Perleberg, Clint Mainwaring, Jessica Schaffer, Katie Daily, Ren Gardner, Brian Williams, Mindy VerWolf, Cris Landa, and Cassandra Mills.

Pronouncer was Eugenie Richards. Anita Wetherelt, Eleanor Crane and Gladys Linville again served as Spelling Bee judges.